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  1. Article ; Online: Epigenetic regulation and division of labor in social insects.

    Okwaro, Louis A / Korb, Judith

    Current opinion in insect science

    2023  Volume 58, Page(s) 101051

    Abstract: Analogous to multicellular organisms, social insect colonies are characterized by division of labor with queens and workers reflecting germline and soma, respectively. In multicellular organisms, such division is achieved through epigenetic factors ... ...

    Abstract Analogous to multicellular organisms, social insect colonies are characterized by division of labor with queens and workers reflecting germline and soma, respectively. In multicellular organisms, such division is achieved through epigenetic factors regulating cell differentiation during development. Analogously, epigenetic regulation is postulated to regulate caste differences in social insects. We summarize recent findings about the role of epigenetics in social insects, focusing on DNA methylation and histone modifications. We specifically address (i) queen versus worker caste differentiation, (ii) queen versus worker caste differences, and (iii) division of labor among workers. Our review provides an overview of an exciting and controversially discussed field in developmental and molecular biology. It shows that our current understanding about the role of epigenetics in regulating division of labor in social insects is still fragmentary but that refined methods with well-replicated samples and targeted questions offer promising insights into this emerging field of socio-epigenomics.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Social Behavior ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Insecta/genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-05-08
    Publishing country Netherlands
    Document type Journal Article ; Review ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2772833-X
    ISSN 2214-5753 ; 2214-5745
    ISSN (online) 2214-5753
    ISSN 2214-5745
    DOI 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101051
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  2. Article ; Online: A genetic toolkit underlying the queen phenotype in termites with totipotent workers.

    Lin, Silu / Elsner, Daniel / Ams, Leon / Korb, Judith / Rosengaus, Rebeca

    Scientific reports

    2024  Volume 14, Issue 1, Page(s) 2214

    Abstract: Social insect castes (e.g., queens, workers) are prime examples of phenotypic plasticity (i.e., different phenotypes arising from the same genotype). Yet, the mechanisms that give rise to highly fertile, long-lived queens versus non-reproducing, short- ... ...

    Abstract Social insect castes (e.g., queens, workers) are prime examples of phenotypic plasticity (i.e., different phenotypes arising from the same genotype). Yet, the mechanisms that give rise to highly fertile, long-lived queens versus non-reproducing, short-lived workers are not well understood. Recently, a module of co-expressed genes has been identified that characterizes queens compared to workers of the termite Cryptotermes secundus (Kalotermitidae): the Queen Central Module (QCM). We tested whether the QCM is shared in termite species, in which queens gradually develop via early larval and late larval instars, the latter functioning as totipotent workers (linear development). Similar as in C. secundus, gene expression profiles revealed an enrichment of QCM genes in Zootermopsis angusticollis queens, a species from another termite family (Archotermopsidae). The expression of these QCM genes became gradually enriched during development from early larval instars via workers to queens. Thus, our results support the hypothesis of a conserved genetic toolkit that characterizes termite queens with gradual linear development. Our data also imply a strong caste-specific tissue specificity with the QCM signal being restricted to head-prothorax tissues in termite queens. This tissue-specific expression of key aging-related genes might have facilitated the evolution of a long lifespan in termite queens.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Isoptera/metabolism ; Insecta ; Phenotype ; Fertility ; Larva/genetics
    Language English
    Publishing date 2024-01-26
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2615211-3
    ISSN 2045-2322 ; 2045-2322
    ISSN (online) 2045-2322
    ISSN 2045-2322
    DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-51772-7
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  3. Article ; Online: Chemical Fertility Signaling in Termites: Idiosyncrasies and Commonalities in Comparison with Ants.

    Korb, Judith

    Journal of chemical ecology

    2018  Volume 44, Issue 9, Page(s) 818–826

    Abstract: Termites evolved eusociality independently from social Hymenoptera. As a common trait, reproductive monopoly is maintained through chemical communication. The queen (and in termites also a king) prevents workers from reproduction by conveying their ... ...

    Abstract Termites evolved eusociality independently from social Hymenoptera. As a common trait, reproductive monopoly is maintained through chemical communication. The queen (and in termites also a king) prevents workers from reproduction by conveying their reproductive status. In termites all soldiers are sterile, but workers' potential to reproduce differs between species. It ranges from totipotency in wood-dwelling lower termites where workers are a transient stage from which all other castes develop, to sterile workers in some higher termites. Intermediate are species in which workers can develop into replacement sexuals within the nest but not into winged sexuals. I summarize the patchy picture about fertility signaling that we currently have for termites, pointing also to potential conflicts over reproduction that differ from those in social Hymenoptera. Recent findings imply that, similar to many social Hymenoptera, wood-dwelling termites that live in confined nests use long-chain cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) as fertility signals. Yet other compounds are important as well, comprising proteinaceous secretions and especially volatiles. For a subterranean termite, two volatiles have been identified as primer pheromones that prevent reproductive differentiation of workers. It requires more data to test whether wood-dwelling termites use CHCs, while species with larger colonies and less confined nests use volatiles, or whether all species rely on multicomponent signals. Ultimately, we need more effort to model and test potential conflicts over reproduction between queens, kings and workers. Here results from social Hymenoptera cannot be transferred to termites as the latter are diploid and commonly inbred. This review illustrates promising future research avenues.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Ants/chemistry ; Ants/metabolism ; Fertility/physiology ; Hydrocarbons/chemistry ; Isoptera/chemistry ; Isoptera/metabolism ; Pheromones/chemistry ; Reproduction/physiology
    Chemical Substances Hydrocarbons ; Pheromones
    Language English
    Publishing date 2018-04-04
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 800130-3
    ISSN 1573-1561 ; 0098-0331
    ISSN (online) 1573-1561
    ISSN 0098-0331
    DOI 10.1007/s10886-018-0952-2
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  4. Article ; Online: Effect of food restriction on survival and reproduction of a termite.

    Lin, Silu / Pen, Ido / Korb, Judith

    Journal of evolutionary biology

    2023  Volume 36, Issue 3, Page(s) 542–549

    Abstract: Food availability affects the trade-off between maintenance and reproduction in a wide range of organisms, but its effects on social insects remain poorly understood. In social insects, the maintenance-reproduction trade-off seems to be absent in ... ...

    Abstract Food availability affects the trade-off between maintenance and reproduction in a wide range of organisms, but its effects on social insects remain poorly understood. In social insects, the maintenance-reproduction trade-off seems to be absent in individuals but may appear at the colony level, although this is rarely investigated. In this study, we restricted food availability in a termite species to test how it affects survival and reproduction, both at the individual and colony level. Using Bayesian multivariate response models, we found very minor effects of food restriction on the survival of queens, individual workers or on the colonies. In contrast, queen fecundity was significantly reduced, whereas colony-level fecundity (i.e., the number of dispersing alates, future reproductives) increased under food restriction as workers gave up cooperation within the colony and became alates that dispersed. Our study shows that life-history trade-offs can be mitigated by individuals' social behaviours in social organisms.
    MeSH term(s) Humans ; Animals ; Isoptera ; Bayes Theorem ; Reproduction/physiology ; Fertility ; Social Behavior
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-02-03
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 1465318-7
    ISSN 1420-9101 ; 1010-061X
    ISSN (online) 1420-9101
    ISSN 1010-061X
    DOI 10.1111/jeb.14154
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  5. Article ; Online: The remoulding of dietary effects on the fecundity / longevity trade-off in a social insect.

    Rau, Veronika / Flatt, Thomas / Korb, Judith

    BMC genomics

    2023  Volume 24, Issue 1, Page(s) 244

    Abstract: Background: In many organisms increased reproductive effort is associated with a shortened life span. This trade-off is reflected in conserved molecular pathways that link nutrient-sensing with fecundity and longevity. Social insect queens apparently ... ...

    Abstract Background: In many organisms increased reproductive effort is associated with a shortened life span. This trade-off is reflected in conserved molecular pathways that link nutrient-sensing with fecundity and longevity. Social insect queens apparently defy the fecundity / longevity trade-off as they are both, extremely long-lived and highly fecund. Here, we have examined the effects of a protein-enriched diet on these life-history traits and on tissue-specific gene expression in a termite species of low social complexity.
    Results: On a colony level, we did not observe reduced lifespan and increased fecundity, effects typically seen in solitary model organisms, after protein enrichment. Instead, on the individual level mortality was reduced in queens that consumed more of the protein-enriched diet - and partially also in workers - while fecundity seemed unaffected. Our transcriptome analyses supported our life-history results. Consistent with life span extension, the expression of IIS (insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signalling) components was reduced in fat bodies after protein enrichment. Interestingly, however, genes involved in reproductive physiology (e.g., vitellogenin) were largely unaffected in fat body and head transcriptomes.
    Conclusion: These results suggest that IIS is decoupled from downstream fecundity-associated pathways, which can contribute to the remoulding of the fecundity/longevity trade-off in termites as compared to solitary insects.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Longevity/physiology ; Fertility ; Reproduction/physiology ; Insecta ; Isoptera/genetics ; Diet
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-05-05
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2041499-7
    ISSN 1471-2164 ; 1471-2164
    ISSN (online) 1471-2164
    ISSN 1471-2164
    DOI 10.1186/s12864-023-09335-z
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  6. Article ; Online: Epigenetic regulation and division of labor in social insects

    Okwaro, Louis A / Korb, Judith

    Current Opinion in Insect Science. 2023 May 08, p.101051-

    2023  , Page(s) 101051–

    Abstract: Analogous to multicellular organisms, social insect colonies are characterized by division of labor with queens and workers reflecting germline and soma, respectively. In multicellular organisms, such division is achieved through epigenetic factors ... ...

    Abstract Analogous to multicellular organisms, social insect colonies are characterized by division of labor with queens and workers reflecting germline and soma, respectively. In multicellular organisms, such division is achieved through epigenetic factors regulating cell differentiation during development. Analogously, epigenetic regulation is postulated to regulate caste differences in social insects. We summarize recent findings about the role of epigenetics in social insects, focusing on DNA methylation and histone modifications. We specifically address (i) queen versus worker caste differentiation, (ii) queen versus worker caste differences, and (iii) division of labor among workers. Our review provides an overview of an exciting and controversially discussed field in developmental and molecular biology. It shows that our current understanding about the role of epigenetics in regulating division of labor in social insects is still fragmentary but that refined methods with well-replicated samples and targeted questions offer promising insights into this emerging field of socio-epigenomics.
    Keywords DNA methylation ; caste determination ; cell differentiation ; epigenetics ; germ cells ; histones ; labor ; molecular biology ; social insects
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2023-0508
    Publishing place Elsevier Inc.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Note Pre-press version
    ZDB-ID 2772833-X
    ISSN 2214-5753 ; 2214-5745
    ISSN (online) 2214-5753
    ISSN 2214-5745
    DOI 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101051
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  7. Article ; Online: The effect of environmental stress on ageing in a termite species with low social complexity.

    Rau, Veronika / Korb, Judith

    Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences

    2021  Volume 376, Issue 1823, Page(s) 20190739

    Abstract: Social insects seem to have overcome the almost universal trade-off between fecundity and longevity as queens can be highly fecund and at the same time reach lifespans of decades. By contrast, their non-reproducing workers are often short-lived. One ... ...

    Abstract Social insects seem to have overcome the almost universal trade-off between fecundity and longevity as queens can be highly fecund and at the same time reach lifespans of decades. By contrast, their non-reproducing workers are often short-lived. One hypothesis to explain the long lifespan of queens is that they are better protected against stress than their workers. However, evidence is controversial and experimental studies are scarce. We aimed at manipulating environmental stress and ageing by exposing colonies of the less-socially complex termite
    MeSH term(s) Aging ; Animals ; Fertility ; Isoptera/physiology ; Social Behavior ; Stress, Physiological ; Temperature
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-08
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 208382-6
    ISSN 1471-2970 ; 0080-4622 ; 0264-3839 ; 0962-8436
    ISSN (online) 1471-2970
    ISSN 0080-4622 ; 0264-3839 ; 0962-8436
    DOI 10.1098/rstb.2019.0739
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    In stock of ZB MED Cologne/Königswinter

    Einzelsignatur: Show issues

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  8. Article ; Online: Ageing and sociality: why, when and how does sociality change ageing patterns?

    Korb, Judith / Heinze, Jürgen

    Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences

    2021  Volume 376, Issue 1823, Page(s) 20190727

    Abstract: Individual lifespans vary tremendously between and also within species, but the proximate and ultimate causes of different ageing speeds are still not well understood. Sociality appears to be associated with the evolution of greater longevity and ... ...

    Abstract Individual lifespans vary tremendously between and also within species, but the proximate and ultimate causes of different ageing speeds are still not well understood. Sociality appears to be associated with the evolution of greater longevity and probably also with a larger plasticity of the shape and pace of ageing. For example, reproductives of several termites and ants reach lifespans that surpass those of their non-reproductive nestmates by one or two decades. In this issue, 15 papers explore the interrelations between sociality and individual longevity in both, group-living vertebrates and social insects. Here, we briefly give an overview of the contents of the various contributions, including theoretical and comparative studies, and we explore the similarities and dissimilarities in proximate mechanisms underlying ageing among taxa, with particular emphasis on nutrient-sensing pathways and, in insects, juvenile hormone. These studies point to an underestimated role of more downstream processes. We highlight the need for reliable transcriptomic markers of ageing and a comprehensive ageing theory of social animals, which includes the reproductive potential of workers, and considers the fact that social insect queens reach maturity only after a prolonged period of producing non-reproductive workers. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ageing and sociality: why, when and how does sociality change ageing patterns?'
    MeSH term(s) Aging ; Animals ; Humans ; Social Behavior
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-08
    Publishing country England
    Document type Introductory Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 208382-6
    ISSN 1471-2970 ; 0080-4622 ; 0264-3839 ; 0962-8436
    ISSN (online) 1471-2970
    ISSN 0080-4622 ; 0264-3839 ; 0962-8436
    DOI 10.1098/rstb.2019.0727
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    In stock of ZB MED Cologne/Königswinter

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  9. Article ; Online: Why do social insect queens live so long? Approaches to unravel the sociality-aging puzzle.

    Korb, Judith

    Current opinion in insect science

    2016  Volume 16, Page(s) 104–107

    Abstract: Social insects are characterized by an apparent reshaping of the fecundity/longevity trade-off with sociality. Currently, we have only sketchy information about the potential underlying causes and mechanisms of aging and senescence which in addition are ... ...

    Abstract Social insects are characterized by an apparent reshaping of the fecundity/longevity trade-off with sociality. Currently, we have only sketchy information about the potential underlying causes and mechanisms of aging and senescence which in addition are restricted to few model insect organisms (mainly the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the honey bee Apis mellifera). How can we gain a more thorough understanding how sociality shapes senescence and the fecundity/longevity trade-off? By reviewing available literature, I propose a comparative approach that offers the opportunity to gain fundamental insights into uncovering the basis for this life history trade-off and its reshaping with sociality.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Bees/physiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/physiology ; Fertility/physiology ; Insecta/physiology ; Longevity/physiology ; Social Behavior
    Language English
    Publishing date 2016-06-16
    Publishing country Netherlands
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2772833-X
    ISSN 2214-5753 ; 2214-5745
    ISSN (online) 2214-5753
    ISSN 2214-5745
    DOI 10.1016/j.cois.2016.06.004
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  10. Article: Rugitermesursulae

    Casalla, Robin / Scheffrahn, Rudolf H / Korb, Judith

    ZooKeys

    2021  Volume 1057, Page(s) 23–36

    Abstract: ... ...

    Abstract Rugitermesursulae
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-08-25
    Publishing country Bulgaria
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2445640-8
    ISSN 1313-2970 ; 1313-2989
    ISSN (online) 1313-2970
    ISSN 1313-2989
    DOI 10.3897/zookeys.1057.65877
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