Organization and chromosomal evolution of repetitive elements in genomes of social wasps

Abstract

The existence of repetitive DNA sequences is a remarkable characteristic in genomes of eukaryotes. Several studies have been conducted to investigate chromosomal distribution of these elements in genomes of multiple organisms, thus contributing to the knowledge of their evolutionary dynamics. Social wasps show interesting social characteristics and therefore have been the aim of several studies on their biology, evolution and behavior. On the other hand, there is a paucity of cytogenetic studies in the group and detailed analyses regarding the distribution patterns and evolutionary dynamics of repetitive sequences have not yet been conducted. Despite the relative lack of information about the karyotype of social wasps, the group shows high karyotypic diversity represented by chromosomal variation in the chromosome haploid number from n = 5-34, and an intense evolutionary dynamics of rich segments in GC base pairs exists. This suggests a strong genomic reorganization dynamic in the group. This research project aims to investigate the structural and evolutionary dynamic organization of repetitive elements using social wasps as model organisms. Classic chromosome analysis and chromosomal physical mapping of repetitive DNA sequences such as 18S rDNA, 5S and histones will be performed wtih these insects. In addition, this data will be analyzed in the light of the evolutionary history of the taxon, under the framework of a phylogenetic hypotheses with divergence times estimates for the lineages. The integration of cytogenetic data, phylogenetic relationships, and diversification are promising in elucidating the evolutionary pattern of repetitive elements in the group. (AU)