Tag Archive for 'Black-tailed bumblebee'

Bumblebees exhibit remarkable color pattern diversity that is primarily attributed to Müllerian mimicry. Previous research has identified the red-black mimetic color variation in Bombus melanopygus to be driven by genetic changes in a major upstream developmental gene (Hox gene Abd-B) dictating segmental morphology. Using a stage-specific transcriptomic approach, Rahman et al. unravel how this gene ultimately drives the melanic pigmentation differences, identifying a suite of genes from the most upstream Abd-B, to intermediate developmental genes, and finally to a set of interacting downstream melanin and redox genes. Image credit: Rahman et al., doi: 10.1093/gbe/evab080.

Researchers Discover Gene Network that Drives Color Variation in Bumblebees

Oct 26, 2021 by News Staff

A Hox gene, a major developmental gene that regulates the identity of structures on the segments of black-tailed bumblebees (Bombus melanopygus), turns...

The black-tailed bumblebee (Bombus melanopygus). Image credit: Walter Siegmund.

Researchers Identify ‘Color Switch’ Gene in Black-Tailed Bumblebees

May 1, 2019 by News Staff

A research team led by Penn State scientists has identified the gene responsible for the color switch between the red and black color forms of the black-tailed...