Royal epigenetics in the termite Reticulitermes speratus

Caste differences arising from the same genome in social insects can be a model system to reveal the molecular basis of derived caste-specific phenotypes. In contrast to the well studied eusocial Hymenopteran species, the epigenomics in termites (Isoptera) remain unknow and await further studies. In this project, we focused epigenetics among the castes (alates, primary king, queens, workers and soldiers) in the termite Reticulitermes speratus.

社会性昆虫中由同一基因组调控产生的品级差异，可作为揭示衍生型品级特异性表型分子基础的理想模式研究体系。与已得到充分研究的真社会性（eusocial）膜翅目昆虫不同，等翅目（Isoptera）白蚁的表观基因组学（epigenomics）研究仍处于空白状态，亟待进一步探索。本项目聚焦于日本散白蚁（Reticulitermes speratus）各品级——包括长翅繁殖蚁、原始蚁王、原始蚁后、工蚁及兵蚁——间的表观遗传特征。