Termites (Isoptera) are eusocial insects and exhibit highly complex eusocial behavior.
Eusociality is characterized by the presence of castes (workers, soldiers, reproductives),
polyphenisms (same genotype exhibiting multiple phenotypes), flexible developmental
pathways, complex communication, cooperative brood care, construction and maintenance of
complex nests, and division of labor. Previous studies on honey bees implicated several genes in
caste-specific behavior; here, we investigate if orthologs of such genes are present in termites
and if so, whether they are expressed differentially among the castes. A candidate gene approach
using degenerate primers was used to amplify three candidate genes in the termite Reticulitermes
flavipes. Quantitative real time PCR analysis revealed differential expression among termite
workers, soldiers, and alates, with a general pattern of higher expression in alates. These results
provide information on three novel genes in the termite R. flavipes.
