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News Release 11-019

Seeking Social Genes

Researchers compare insect genomes to hone in on genes associated with complex social structure

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a group of red harvester ants.

Sequencing the entire red harvester ant genome has revealed that, compared to other insects, the P. barbatus genome has significantly more genes associated with the sense of smell, as well as detection and metabolism of chemical signals. This is consistent with the fact that ants use chemical signals to communicate.

Credit: Herbert A. 'Joe' Pase III, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License


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a red harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus.

The genome of the red harvester ant, a social insect, was recently sequenced in an effort to understand the evolution of complex societies.

Credit: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License


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