RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sociality and DNA methylation are not evolutionary dependent
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 062455
DO 10.1101/062455
A1 Adam J. Bewick
A1 Kevin J. Vogel
A1 Allen J. Moore
A1 Robert J. Schmitz
YR 2016
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/07/06/062455.abstract
AB Despite widespread conservation across the tree of life, little is known about how DNA methylation contributes to the evolution of complex traits. In particular, DNA methylation has been hypothesized to allow the evolution of highly flexible traits, such as sociality. We sought to better understand patterns of DNA methylation and its association between the expression of advanced social behavior across insects. DNA methylation in insects is widespread and found in social and solitary species from all orders, except Diptera (flies). Solitary species within Blattodea (cockroaches, termites) had the highest levels of DNA methylation. The presence/absence of underlying methyltransferases corroborates most patterns observed, but alternative DNA methylation pathways may exist. Furthermore, we found no evidence that supports evolutionary dependency between either advanced social behavior or division of labor and DNA methylation within insects using phylogenetically corrected comparisons. These results suggest that DNA methylation is not the driver of social behavior.