Publication
Title
When hymenopteran males reinvented diploidy
Author
Abstract
In most plants and animals, a consistent relationship exists between the DNA content of a cell and its metabolic activity [1, 2]. The male-haploid sex determination of Hymenoptera and other arthropods may therefore impose a particular selective pressure upon males, which must evolve adaptations to cope with a genomic DNA reduced by half compared with that of females. Here, we show that a nuclear DNA content similar to that of females is restored in muscles of males in all hymenopteran lineages tested except the most basal one (Xyelidae). This doubling of DNA content in males does not occur in other haplodiploid insects, such as thrips (Thysanoptera) and whiteflies (Sternorrhyncha). These results indicate that this adaptation probably occurred early in hymenopteran history, possibly because males acquired strong flying and dispersal abilities.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Current biology. - London
Publication
London : 2005
ISSN
0960-9822
DOI
10.1016/J.CUB.2005.03.017
Volume/pages
15 :9 (2005) , p. 824-827
ISI
000229298100022
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.02.2012
Last edited 08.12.2021
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