The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

Ben M. Sadd; Seth M. Barribeau; Guy Bloch; Dirk C. de Graaf; Peter Dearden; Christine G. Elsik; Jürgen Gadau; Cornelis J. P. Grimmelikhuijzen; Martin Hasselmann; Jeffrey D. Lozier; Hugh M. Robertson; Guy Smagghe; Eckart Stolle; Matthias van Vaerenbergh; Robert M. Waterhouse; Erich Bornberg-Bauer; Steffen Klasberg; Anna K. Bennett; Francisco Câmara; Roderic Guigó; Katharina Hoff; Marco Mariotti; Monica Munoz-Torres; Terence Murphy; Didac Santesmasses; Gro V. Amdam; Matthew Beckers; Martin Beye; Matthias Biewer; Márcia M. G. Bitondi; Mark L. Blaxter; Andrew F. G. Bourke; Mark J. F. Brown; Severine D. Buechel; Rossanah Cameron; Kaat Cappelle; James C. Carolan; Olivier Christiaens; Kate L. Ciborowski; David F. Clarke; Thomas J. Colgan; David H. Collins; Andrew G. Cridge; Tamas Dalmay; Stephanie Dreier; Louis du Plessis; Elizabeth Duncan; Silvio Erler; Jay Evans; Tiago Falcon; Kevin Flores; Flávia C. P. Freitas; Taro Fuchikawa; Tanja Gempe; Klaus Hartfelder; Frank Hauser; Sophie Helbing; Fernanda C. Humann; Frano Irvine; Lars S. Jermiin; Claire E. Johnson; Reed M. Johnson; Andrew K. Jones; Tatsuhiko Kadowaki; Jonathan H. Kidner; Vasco Koch; Arian Köhler; F Bernhard Kraus; H. Michael G. Lattorff; Megan Leask; Gabrielle A. Lockett; Eamonn B. Mallon; David S. Marco Antonio; Monika Marxer; Ivan Meeus; Robin F. A. Moritz; Ajay Nair; Kathrin Näpflin; Inga Nissen; Jinzhi Niu; Francis M. F. Nunes; John G. Oakeshott; Amy Osborne; Marianne Otte; Daniel G. Pinheiro; Nina Rossié; Olav Rueppell; Carolina G. Santos; Regula Schmid-Hempel; Björn D. Schmitt; Christina Schulte; Zilá Lp Simões; Michelle P. M. Soares; Luc Swevers; Eva C. Winnebeck; Florian Wolschin; Na Yu; Evgeny M. Zdobnov; Peshtewani K. Aqrawi; Kerstin P. Blankenburg; Marcus Coyle; Liezl Francisco; Alvaro G. Hernandez; Michael Holder; Matthew E. Hudson; Laronda Jackson; Joy Jayaseelan; Vandita Joshi; Christie Kovar; Sandra L. Lee; Robert Mata; Tittu Mathew; Irene F. Newsham; Robin Ngo; Geoffrey Okwuonu; Christopher Pham; Ling-Ling Pu; Nehad Saada; Jireh Santibanez; Denard Simmons; Rebecca Thornton; Aarti Venkat; Kimberly K. O. Walden; Yuan-Qing Wu; Griet Debyser; Bart Devreese; Claire Asher; Julie Blommaert; Ariel D. Chipman; Lars Chittka; Bertrand Fouks; Jisheng Liu; Meaghan P. O'Neill; Seirian Sumner; Daniela Puiu; Jiaxin Qu; Steven L. Salzberg; Steven E. Scherer; Donna M. Muzny; Stephen Richards; Gene E. Robinson; Richard A. Gibbs; Paul Schmid-Hempel; Kim C. Worley

doi:10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3

The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

Ben M. Sadd, Seth M. Barribeau, Guy Bloch, Dirk C. de Graaf, Peter Dearden, Christine G. Elsik, Jürgen Gadau, Cornelis J. P. Grimmelikhuijzen, Martin Hasselmann, Jeffrey D. Lozier, Hugh M. Robertson, Guy Smagghe, Eckart Stolle, Matthias van Vaerenbergh, Robert M. Waterhouse, Erich Bornberg-Bauer, Steffen Klasberg, Anna K. Bennett, Francisco Câmara, Roderic GuigóKatharina Hoff, Marco Mariotti, Monica Munoz-Torres, Terence Murphy, Didac Santesmasses, Gro V. Amdam, Matthew Beckers, Martin Beye, Matthias Biewer, Márcia M. G. Bitondi, Mark L. Blaxter, Andrew F. G. Bourke, Mark J. F. Brown, Severine D. Buechel, Rossanah Cameron, Kaat Cappelle, James C. Carolan, Olivier Christiaens, Kate L. Ciborowski, David F. Clarke, Thomas J. Colgan, David H. Collins, Andrew G. Cridge, Tamas Dalmay, Stephanie Dreier, Louis du Plessis, Elizabeth Duncan, Silvio Erler, Jay Evans, Tiago Falcon, Kevin Flores, Flávia C. P. Freitas, Taro Fuchikawa, Tanja Gempe, Klaus Hartfelder, Frank Hauser, Sophie Helbing, Fernanda C. Humann, Frano Irvine, Lars S. Jermiin, Claire E. Johnson, Reed M. Johnson, Andrew K. Jones, Tatsuhiko Kadowaki, Jonathan H. Kidner, Vasco Koch, Arian Köhler, F Bernhard Kraus, H. Michael G. Lattorff, Megan Leask, Gabrielle A. Lockett, Eamonn B. Mallon, David S. Marco Antonio, Monika Marxer, Ivan Meeus, Robin F. A. Moritz, Ajay Nair, Kathrin Näpflin, Inga Nissen, Jinzhi Niu, Francis M. F. Nunes, John G. Oakeshott, Amy Osborne, Marianne Otte, Daniel G. Pinheiro, Nina Rossié, Olav Rueppell, Carolina G. Santos, Regula Schmid-Hempel, Björn D. Schmitt, Christina Schulte, Zilá Lp Simões, Michelle P. M. Soares, Luc Swevers, Eva C. Winnebeck, Florian Wolschin, Na Yu, Evgeny M. Zdobnov, Peshtewani K. Aqrawi, Kerstin P. Blankenburg, Marcus Coyle, Liezl Francisco, Alvaro G. Hernandez, Michael Holder, Matthew E. Hudson, Laronda Jackson, Joy Jayaseelan, Vandita Joshi, Christie Kovar, Sandra L. Lee, Robert Mata, Tittu Mathew, Irene F. Newsham, Robin Ngo, Geoffrey Okwuonu, Christopher Pham, Ling-Ling Pu, Nehad Saada, Jireh Santibanez, Denard Simmons, Rebecca Thornton, Aarti Venkat, Kimberly K. O. Walden, Yuan-Qing Wu, Griet Debyser, Bart Devreese, Claire Asher, Julie Blommaert, Ariel D. Chipman, Lars Chittka, Bertrand Fouks, Jisheng Liu, Meaghan P. O'Neill, Seirian Sumner, Daniela Puiu, Jiaxin Qu, Steven L. Salzberg, Steven E. Scherer, Donna M. Muzny, Stephen Richards, Gene E. Robinson, Richard A. Gibbs, Paul Schmid-Hempel, Kim C. Worley

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats.

Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits.

Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation.

Original language	English
Article number	76
Journal	Genome Biology
Volume	16
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3
Publication status	Published - 24 Apr 2015

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10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3Licence: CC BY

Sadd_etal_2015_GenomeBiologyFinal published version, 2.4 MBLicence: CC BY

Andrew Bourke
- A.Bourkeuea.acuk
- School of Biological Sciences - Emeritus Professor
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation - Member
Person: Honorary, Research Centre Member
Tamas Dalmay
- T.Dalmayuea.acuk
- School of Biological Sciences - Professor of RNA Biology
- Plant Sciences - Member
Person: Research Group Member, Academic, Teaching & Research

Cite this

Sadd, B. M., Barribeau, S. M., Bloch, G., de Graaf, D. C., Dearden, P., Elsik, C. G., Gadau, J., Grimmelikhuijzen, C. J. P., Hasselmann, M., Lozier, J. D., Robertson, H. M., Smagghe, G., Stolle, E., van Vaerenbergh, M., Waterhouse, R. M., Bornberg-Bauer, E., Klasberg, S., Bennett, A. K., Câmara, F., ... Worley, K. C. (2015). The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization. Genome Biology, 16, Article 76. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3

@article{0aa5619858dc4d2ca05911362947dd9c,

title = "The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization",

abstract = "Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats.Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits.Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation.",

author = "Sadd, {Ben M.} and Barribeau, {Seth M.} and Guy Bloch and {de Graaf}, {Dirk C.} and Peter Dearden and Elsik, {Christine G.} and J{\"u}rgen Gadau and Grimmelikhuijzen, {Cornelis J. P.} and Martin Hasselmann and Lozier, {Jeffrey D.} and Robertson, {Hugh M.} and Guy Smagghe and Eckart Stolle and {van Vaerenbergh}, Matthias and Waterhouse, {Robert M.} and Erich Bornberg-Bauer and Steffen Klasberg and Bennett, {Anna K.} and Francisco C{\^a}mara and Roderic Guig{\'o} and Katharina Hoff and Marco Mariotti and Monica Munoz-Torres and Terence Murphy and Didac Santesmasses and Amdam, {Gro V.} and Matthew Beckers and Martin Beye and Matthias Biewer and Bitondi, {M{\'a}rcia M. G.} and Blaxter, {Mark L.} and Bourke, {Andrew F. G.} and Brown, {Mark J. F.} and Buechel, {Severine D.} and Rossanah Cameron and Kaat Cappelle and Carolan, {James C.} and Olivier Christiaens and Ciborowski, {Kate L.} and Clarke, {David F.} and Colgan, {Thomas J.} and Collins, {David H.} and Cridge, {Andrew G.} and Tamas Dalmay and Stephanie Dreier and {du Plessis}, Louis and Elizabeth Duncan and Silvio Erler and Jay Evans and Tiago Falcon and Kevin Flores and Freitas, {Fl{\'a}via C. P.} and Taro Fuchikawa and Tanja Gempe and Klaus Hartfelder and Frank Hauser and Sophie Helbing and Humann, {Fernanda C.} and Frano Irvine and Jermiin, {Lars S.} and Johnson, {Claire E.} and Johnson, {Reed M.} and Jones, {Andrew K.} and Tatsuhiko Kadowaki and Kidner, {Jonathan H.} and Vasco Koch and Arian K{\"o}hler and Kraus, {F Bernhard} and Lattorff, {H. Michael G.} and Megan Leask and Lockett, {Gabrielle A.} and Mallon, {Eamonn B.} and Antonio, {David S. Marco} and Monika Marxer and Ivan Meeus and Moritz, {Robin F. A.} and Ajay Nair and Kathrin N{\"a}pflin and Inga Nissen and Jinzhi Niu and Nunes, {Francis M. F.} and Oakeshott, {John G.} and Amy Osborne and Marianne Otte and Pinheiro, {Daniel G.} and Nina Rossi{\'e} and Olav Rueppell and Santos, {Carolina G.} and Regula Schmid-Hempel and Schmitt, {Bj{\"o}rn D.} and Christina Schulte and Sim{\~o}es, {Zil{\'a} Lp} and Soares, {Michelle P. M.} and Luc Swevers and Winnebeck, {Eva C.} and Florian Wolschin and Na Yu and Zdobnov, {Evgeny M.} and Aqrawi, {Peshtewani K.} and Blankenburg, {Kerstin P.} and Marcus Coyle and Liezl Francisco and Hernandez, {Alvaro G.} and Michael Holder and Hudson, {Matthew E.} and Laronda Jackson and Joy Jayaseelan and Vandita Joshi and Christie Kovar and Lee, {Sandra L.} and Robert Mata and Tittu Mathew and Newsham, {Irene F.} and Robin Ngo and Geoffrey Okwuonu and Christopher Pham and Ling-Ling Pu and Nehad Saada and Jireh Santibanez and Denard Simmons and Rebecca Thornton and Aarti Venkat and Walden, {Kimberly K. O.} and Yuan-Qing Wu and Griet Debyser and Bart Devreese and Claire Asher and Julie Blommaert and Chipman, {Ariel D.} and Lars Chittka and Bertrand Fouks and Jisheng Liu and O'Neill, {Meaghan P.} and Seirian Sumner and Daniela Puiu and Jiaxin Qu and Salzberg, {Steven L.} and Scherer, {Steven E.} and Muzny, {Donna M.} and Stephen Richards and Robinson, {Gene E.} and Gibbs, {Richard A.} and Paul Schmid-Hempel and Worley, {Kim C.}",

year = "2015",

month = apr,

day = "24",

doi = "10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3",

language = "English",

volume = "16",

journal = "Genome Biology",

issn = "1474-760X",

publisher = "BioMed Central",

}

Sadd, BM, Barribeau, SM, Bloch, G, de Graaf, DC, Dearden, P, Elsik, CG, Gadau, J, Grimmelikhuijzen, CJP, Hasselmann, M, Lozier, JD, Robertson, HM, Smagghe, G, Stolle, E, van Vaerenbergh, M, Waterhouse, RM, Bornberg-Bauer, E, Klasberg, S, Bennett, AK, Câmara, F, Guigó, R, Hoff, K, Mariotti, M, Munoz-Torres, M, Murphy, T, Santesmasses, D, Amdam, GV, Beckers, M, Beye, M, Biewer, M, Bitondi, MMG, Blaxter, ML, Bourke, AFG, Brown, MJF, Buechel, SD, Cameron, R, Cappelle, K, Carolan, JC, Christiaens, O, Ciborowski, KL, Clarke, DF, Colgan, TJ, Collins, DH, Cridge, AG, Dalmay, T, Dreier, S, du Plessis, L, Duncan, E, Erler, S, Evans, J, Falcon, T, Flores, K, Freitas, FCP, Fuchikawa, T, Gempe, T, Hartfelder, K, Hauser, F, Helbing, S, Humann, FC, Irvine, F, Jermiin, LS, Johnson, CE, Johnson, RM, Jones, AK, Kadowaki, T, Kidner, JH, Koch, V, Köhler, A, Kraus, FB, Lattorff, HMG, Leask, M, Lockett, GA, Mallon, EB, Antonio, DSM, Marxer, M, Meeus, I, Moritz, RFA, Nair, A, Näpflin, K, Nissen, I, Niu, J, Nunes, FMF, Oakeshott, JG, Osborne, A, Otte, M, Pinheiro, DG, Rossié, N, Rueppell, O, Santos, CG, Schmid-Hempel, R, Schmitt, BD, Schulte, C, Simões, ZL, Soares, MPM, Swevers, L, Winnebeck, EC, Wolschin, F, Yu, N, Zdobnov, EM, Aqrawi, PK, Blankenburg, KP, Coyle, M, Francisco, L, Hernandez, AG, Holder, M, Hudson, ME, Jackson, L, Jayaseelan, J, Joshi, V, Kovar, C, Lee, SL, Mata, R, Mathew, T, Newsham, IF, Ngo, R, Okwuonu, G, Pham, C, Pu, L-L, Saada, N, Santibanez, J, Simmons, D, Thornton, R, Venkat, A, Walden, KKO, Wu, Y-Q, Debyser, G, Devreese, B, Asher, C, Blommaert, J, Chipman, AD, Chittka, L, Fouks, B, Liu, J, O'Neill, MP, Sumner, S, Puiu, D, Qu, J, Salzberg, SL, Scherer, SE, Muzny, DM, Richards, S, Robinson, GE, Gibbs, RA, Schmid-Hempel, P & Worley, KC 2015, 'The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization', Genome Biology, vol. 16, 76. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3

TY - JOUR

T1 - The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

AU - Sadd, Ben M.

AU - Barribeau, Seth M.

AU - Bloch, Guy

AU - de Graaf, Dirk C.

AU - Dearden, Peter

AU - Elsik, Christine G.

AU - Gadau, Jürgen

AU - Grimmelikhuijzen, Cornelis J. P.

AU - Hasselmann, Martin

AU - Lozier, Jeffrey D.

AU - Robertson, Hugh M.

AU - Smagghe, Guy

AU - Stolle, Eckart

AU - van Vaerenbergh, Matthias

AU - Waterhouse, Robert M.

AU - Bornberg-Bauer, Erich

AU - Klasberg, Steffen

AU - Bennett, Anna K.

AU - Câmara, Francisco

AU - Guigó, Roderic

AU - Hoff, Katharina

AU - Mariotti, Marco

AU - Munoz-Torres, Monica

AU - Murphy, Terence

AU - Santesmasses, Didac

AU - Amdam, Gro V.

AU - Beckers, Matthew

AU - Beye, Martin

AU - Biewer, Matthias

AU - Bitondi, Márcia M. G.

AU - Blaxter, Mark L.

AU - Bourke, Andrew F. G.

AU - Brown, Mark J. F.

AU - Buechel, Severine D.

AU - Cameron, Rossanah

AU - Cappelle, Kaat

AU - Carolan, James C.

AU - Christiaens, Olivier

AU - Ciborowski, Kate L.

AU - Clarke, David F.

AU - Colgan, Thomas J.

AU - Collins, David H.

AU - Cridge, Andrew G.

AU - Dalmay, Tamas

AU - Dreier, Stephanie

AU - du Plessis, Louis

AU - Duncan, Elizabeth

AU - Erler, Silvio

AU - Evans, Jay

AU - Falcon, Tiago

AU - Flores, Kevin

AU - Freitas, Flávia C. P.

AU - Fuchikawa, Taro

AU - Gempe, Tanja

AU - Hartfelder, Klaus

AU - Hauser, Frank

AU - Helbing, Sophie

AU - Humann, Fernanda C.

AU - Irvine, Frano

AU - Jermiin, Lars S.

AU - Johnson, Claire E.

AU - Johnson, Reed M.

AU - Jones, Andrew K.

AU - Kadowaki, Tatsuhiko

AU - Kidner, Jonathan H.

AU - Koch, Vasco

AU - Köhler, Arian

AU - Kraus, F Bernhard

AU - Lattorff, H. Michael G.

AU - Leask, Megan

AU - Lockett, Gabrielle A.

AU - Mallon, Eamonn B.

AU - Antonio, David S. Marco

AU - Marxer, Monika

AU - Meeus, Ivan

AU - Moritz, Robin F. A.

AU - Nair, Ajay

AU - Näpflin, Kathrin

AU - Nissen, Inga

AU - Niu, Jinzhi

AU - Nunes, Francis M. F.

AU - Oakeshott, John G.

AU - Osborne, Amy

AU - Otte, Marianne

AU - Pinheiro, Daniel G.

AU - Rossié, Nina

AU - Rueppell, Olav

AU - Santos, Carolina G.

AU - Schmid-Hempel, Regula

AU - Schmitt, Björn D.

AU - Schulte, Christina

AU - Simões, Zilá Lp

AU - Soares, Michelle P. M.

AU - Swevers, Luc

AU - Winnebeck, Eva C.

AU - Wolschin, Florian

AU - Yu, Na

AU - Zdobnov, Evgeny M.

AU - Aqrawi, Peshtewani K.

AU - Blankenburg, Kerstin P.

AU - Coyle, Marcus

AU - Francisco, Liezl

AU - Hernandez, Alvaro G.

AU - Holder, Michael

AU - Hudson, Matthew E.

AU - Jackson, Laronda

AU - Jayaseelan, Joy

AU - Joshi, Vandita

AU - Kovar, Christie

AU - Lee, Sandra L.

AU - Mata, Robert

AU - Mathew, Tittu

AU - Newsham, Irene F.

AU - Ngo, Robin

AU - Okwuonu, Geoffrey

AU - Pham, Christopher

AU - Pu, Ling-Ling

AU - Saada, Nehad

AU - Santibanez, Jireh

AU - Simmons, Denard

AU - Thornton, Rebecca

AU - Venkat, Aarti

AU - Walden, Kimberly K. O.

AU - Wu, Yuan-Qing

AU - Debyser, Griet

AU - Devreese, Bart

AU - Asher, Claire

AU - Blommaert, Julie

AU - Chipman, Ariel D.

AU - Chittka, Lars

AU - Fouks, Bertrand

AU - Liu, Jisheng

AU - O'Neill, Meaghan P.

AU - Sumner, Seirian

AU - Puiu, Daniela

AU - Qu, Jiaxin

AU - Salzberg, Steven L.

AU - Scherer, Steven E.

AU - Muzny, Donna M.

AU - Richards, Stephen

AU - Robinson, Gene E.

AU - Gibbs, Richard A.

AU - Schmid-Hempel, Paul

AU - Worley, Kim C.

PY - 2015/4/24

Y1 - 2015/4/24

N2 - Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats.Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits.Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation.

AB - Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats.Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits.Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation.

U2 - 10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3

DO - 10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3

M3 - Article

SN - 1474-760X

VL - 16

JO - Genome Biology

JF - Genome Biology

M1 - 76

ER -

The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

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Andrew Bourke

Tamas Dalmay

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