摘要：

We superimposed confidence intervals (CIs) with genomic sequence for seven confirmed honey bee quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing foraging division of labor (pollen or nectar collecting) and nest defense (stinging and guarding). The high recombination rate of the bee allowed us to narrow the search for genes influencing behavior to regions of 18-52 predicted genes for each QTL. We used a priori knowledge of each behavioral syndrome, comparative bioinformatics and expression data to direct analyses of gene candidates. An over-representation of genes involved in ovarian development and insulin-like signaling components were found within pollen foraging QTL regions, suggesting that an ancestral reproductive gene network was co-opted to produce foraging specialization. In addition, we hypothesized that conserved genes involved in central nervous system (CNS) function and sensory tuning would be involved in defensive behavior. The major locus influencing defensive behavior included orthologs of genes involved in CNS activity and neurogenesis. Candidates at the other two defensive-behavior QTLs includ modulators of sensory signaling (the Am5HT7 serotonin receptor, arrestin and the GABA B1 receptor). This study is the first step in linking natural variation in honey bee behavior to the identification of underlying genes. Due to high recombination rates, CIs encompassing large genetic distances are equivalent to fine-scale mapping in the honey bee.

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