Molecular Genetics

Question 1

pathenogenesis

Answer 1

Form of asexual reproduction; development

occurs without fertilization

Question 2

corpus allatum

Answer 2

Endocrine gland found in insects, plays an

important role in metamorphosis. Surgical removal is termed an allatectomy

Question 3

nulliparous

Answer 3

Female that has not produced offspring

Question 4

termite sociality

Answer 4

• eusocial

- live in colonies

Question 5

members of termite colonies

Answer 5

• King (reproductive male)
• Queen (lays eggs; fed/supported by members of colony)
• Secondary queen & Tertiary queen (also capable of reproduction; live in satellite nests)
• Soldiers (defend colony)
• Workers (forage for food)

Question 6

genetic basis/proximate causes for termite social structure

Answer 6

• When queen dies, workers fight each other until one of them becomes the queen
• Researchers think a chemical signal from the queen placates workers until she dies -> once she’s gone, they become aggressive
• Gene neofem 2 may be involved in queen-worker communication in termites
• Researchers silenced this gene, and it created aggressive workers (as if queen wasn’t there)

Question 7

mating behaviour of ruff birds

Answer 7

• Independent males have dark feathers; satellite males have white feathers
• Majority are independent, few are satellite

Question 8

honeybee hive worker vs. forager

Answer 8

• Hive worker (young bees): clean hive, feed larvae, make wax, process honey, guard hive, fan hive (thermoregulation)
• Forager: leave the nest searching for pollen and nectar, return with what they find

Question 9

how does the shift from hive worker to forager occur?

Answer 9

• associated with increase in levels of juvenile hormone III (JH III), produced by corpus allatum gland
• If gland removed, no transition from worker to forager
• Per/Period gene may also play a role in transition

Question 10

oldfield mice: good fathering study

Answer 10

• oldfied mice are monogamous – all offspring from one litter are from only 1 father (vs. Deerfield mice, which can have pups fathered by multiple mice in 1 litter)
• Fathers of Oldfield mice are better parents than Deerfield mice
• In a cross-fostering study, this was shown to be hardwired genetically -> even Deerfield pups who had seen good parental behaviours modeled by Oldfield dads were still not great fathers

Question 11

oldfield mice: natal group and parenting skills study

Answer 11

• Does remaining in the natal group and helping raise offspring affect subsequent parental success? (Ie. Do pups who stay with mom to help raise the next litter become better parents?)
• Group 1: inexperienced females: removed from nest at 21 days old
• Group 2: experiences females: remained in the nest, after which the pregnant mother gave birth to a second litter
• Results: experienced females built nests earlier and had higher-quality nests; increased survival rate for offspring of experienced mothers