Heikki Helanterä

Viral infection patterns in ants are affected by colony structure and phylogenetic lineage

The paper examines how ant colony structure and phylogenetic lineage influence viral diversity and abundance across 15 ant species.

Introgression and divergence in a young species group

This study analyzes genomic patterns of divergence and introgression in five wood ant species to understand speciation processes and the role of gene flow and reproductive isolation.

Group size dependent selection for cooperation versus freeloading in collective chemical defence

The paper shows that cooperation in chemical defense is more beneficial in smaller groups, while freeloaders have higher fitness in larger groups of pine sawfly larvae.

Direct and indirect benefits of cooperation in collective defense against predation

This study shows that cooperative defense in pine sawfly larvae provides both direct and indirect benefits, with individuals adjusting their contributions based on social context.

High-throughput phenomics of global ant biodiversity

Antscan provides 2,193 standardized whole-body 3D synchrotron micro-CT datasets across 792 ant species (212 genera), pairing morphological volumes with automated deep-learning segmentation and genome sequencing projects.

The loss of a supergene in obligately polygynous Formica wood ant species

The paper investigates the loss of a supergene haplotype in obligately polygynous Formica ants using comparative genomics and finds that the derived haplotype P is absent in two species except for duplicated paralogs of specific genes.

A novel supergene controls queen size and colony social organization in the ant Myrmica ruginodis

The paper identifies a novel supergene in the ant Myrmica ruginodis linked to queen size and colony social organization through whole-genome sequencing of 95 queens.

Dispersal behavior rather than dispersal morphology creates social polymorphism in Formica ants

This study shows that dispersal behavior, not morphology, drives social polymorphism in Formica ants, suggesting a 'behavior first' evolutionary mechanism.

Population Genomics of the Invasive Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile) - Adaptive Evolution in Introduced Supercolonies Despite Low Genetic Diversity

This study identifies positive selection and adaptive evolution in invasive Argentine ant supercolonies despite low genetic diversity and founder effects.