Genetic control of the thelytoky syndrome in the honeybee Apis melllifera capensis
Final Report Abstract
Within our project we were able to show that against previous expectations the mode of parthenogenesis is polymorphic within the endemic region of the Cape honeybee. We were able to reliably confirm that the mode of parthenogenesis is inherited by a single locus. We could also show that against our initial hypothesis, the homologue of the Drosophila transcription factor gemini although an important gene in the determination of the Capensis syndrome it is not the genetic switch ultimately controlling the trait in a Mendelian way. Moreover, we could show that gemini is intricately interwoven into the regulation of the laying worker syndrome. It pleiotropically controls traits responsible for reproductive dominance in honeybees in general. Alternative splicing and the amount of different gemini transcripts simultaneously controls ovary activation and the production of a more queen-like bouquet of mandibular gland pheromones. An initial approach using NGS analyses failed to identify the gene serving as the genetic switch controlling all traits of the thelytoky syndrome. A subsequent analyses with higher coverage revealed a new candidate region on chromosome I (scaffold 23), that will eventually allow for the identification of the gene and allele controlling thelytoky in laying honeybee workers.
Publications
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(2018) Control of mandibular gland pheromone synthesis by alternative splicing of the CP-2 transcription factor gemini in honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica). Apidologie 49 (4) 450–458
Jarosch-Perlow, Antje; Yusuf, Abdullahi A.; Pirk, Christian W. W.; Crewe, Robin M.; Moritz, Robin F. A.
