Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

The neuroplasticity of division of labor: worker polymorphism, compound eye structure and brain organization in the leafcutter ant Atta cephalotes

The paper examines how eye structure and brain organization in leafcutter ants correlate with their task specialization in different light environments.

Whole Genome Sequencing and Assembly of the Asian Honey Bee Apis dorsata

This study sequenced and assembled the genome of the Asian honey bee Apis dorsata, identifying unique genes and transposable elements associated with its defensive behavior.

Temperature fluctuations between years predict temporal allele frequency variation in a hybrid ant population

The paper shows that temperature fluctuations predict allele frequency changes in male hybrids of Formica ants, but not females, suggesting sex-specific effects of hybridization on genetic variability.

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) larval pheromones regulate gene expression related to foraging task specialization

The paper investigates how larval pheromones affect gene expression in honey bee foragers, showing distinct transcriptional responses related to nectar and pollen foraging.

A transmissible RNA pathway in honey bees

The paper demonstrates horizontal RNA transfer in honey bees via royal and worker jelly, showing dsRNA spreads systemically and triggers gene knockdown across generations.

Exploring integument transcriptomes, cuticle ultrastructure, and cuticular hydrocarbons profiles in eusocial and solitary bee species displaying heterochronic adult cuticle maturation

The paper compares integument transcriptomes, cuticle ultrastructure, and cuticular hydrocarbon profiles between eusocial and solitary bees to investigate cuticle maturation heterochrony.

Draft Aphaenogaster genomes expand our view of ant genome size variation across climate gradients

The paper sequenced six Aphaenogaster ant genomes across a latitudinal climate gradient and found genome size correlates with minimum temperature, suggesting temperature extremes may influence genome evolution.

Draft genome assembly and population genetics of an agricultural pollinator, the solitary alkali bee (Halictidae: Nomia melanderi)

The paper presents a draft genome assembly of the alkali bee and identifies genes under selection and population genetic patterns.

The Doublesex sex determination pathway regulates reproductive division of labor in honey bees

This study shows that the Doublesex gene regulates reproductive division of labor in honey bees by controlling ovary development and pheromonal signaling.

Daily activity and visual discrimination reflects the eye organization of weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This study examines the eye structure, daily activity, and foraging behavior of Oecophylla smaragdina, finding that foraging occurs in full light, the eye is adapted for diurnal activity, and daily activity correlates with temperature.

High-quality genome assemblies uncover caste-specific long non-coding RNAs in ants

The paper presents high-quality genome assemblies for two ant species, enabling the identification of caste-specific long non-coding RNAs and differential gene expression.

The Nuclear And Mitochondrial Genomes Of The Facultatively Eusocial Orchid Bee Euglossa dilemma

The paper reports the nuclear and mitochondrial genome sequences of the orchid bee Euglossa dilemma, providing a high-quality assembly and gene set, and highlighting gene synteny conservation with honey bees.