Abstract
Mating is a complex process, which is frequently associated with behavioural and physiological changes. However, understanding of the genetic underpinnings of these changes is limited. Honey bees are both a model system in behavioural genomics, and the dominant managed pollinator of human crops; consequently understanding the mating process has both pure and applied value. We used next-generation transcriptomics to probe changes in gene expression in the brains of honey bee queens, as they transition from virgin to mated reproductive status. In addition, we used CO 2 -narcosis, which induces oviposition without mating, to isolate the process of reproductive maturation.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 563 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | BMC Genomics |
Volume | 16 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Jul 2015 |
Keywords
- Apis mellifera
- Australian honey bees
- Behaviour
- Brain
- Mating
- Carbon dioxide
- Double necrosis
- Transcriptomics
- RNAseq
- Gene expression