Social behavior of leaf-cutting ants is related to genes

Through analysis and comparison of genome sequences of ants in general, scientists at the University of Copenhagen of Denmark and the Chinese University of Genome Research Institute in Shenzhen, China, have discovered that behavior The societies and symbiotic lifestyles of leaf-cut ants (scientific name Acromyrmex octospinosus) are closely related to some special genes.

Research results are available on Genome Research's website.

Agriculture has a very important meaning in the evolution of human culture, but humans are not the only creatures who choose this lifestyle. Leaf-cut ants also have the ability to perform agricultural production like humans.

They cut leaves, then use these leaves to grow mushrooms as food for the same species. Through testing and analyzing the sequence of the entire leaf-cutting ant genome, scientists have discovered two abnormal genes in their genome. Neuropeptides are important for many organisms.

The researchers, when comparing leaf-cutting ant genes with the neuropeptide encoded by genetically identified ants, found an amazing result.

Specifically, scientists discovered that in the leaf ants genome exist similar neuropeptide genes, most of the nervous system excretion of ants in general has very similar structure, most likely the This resemblance can be formed from the ancestors of ants.

According to Dr. Zhang Chang Tiep of the Chinese University of Genome Research Institute, scientists will continue to further study the genetic mechanism for social behavior of insects from a comparative perspective of genome overall. , thereby helping to understand the intrinsic genetic nature of human life.