Digest: Phenotypic plasticity and the genomic signature of novel castes: insights from soldier evolution in Cephalotes
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity can alter evolutionary dynamics, but its genomic consequences remain contested. Barkdull & Moreau (2026) combine comparative genomics and developmental transcriptomics in Cephalotes turtle ants to show that the repeated evolution of a soldier morph produces an asymmetric genomic signature: protein-coding genes experience genome-wide relaxed selection and reduced positive selection, whereas conserved noncoding regulatory elements show increased purifying constraint. Worker morph plasticity is driven mainly by co-option of ancient genes and by integration of insulin, imaginal-disc, and Hippo signaling.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Evolution
- Volume
- 80
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 684–686
- Publication date
- 28 January 2026
- Language
- EN