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Nature 443, 919-920 (26 October 2006) | doi:10.1038/443919a; Published online 25 October 2006

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Genomics: How to make a social insect

Edward O. Wilson1

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The profound biological changes that lofted the honeybee to an advanced state of social organization are reflected in its newly sequenced genome. The species can now be studied all the way from molecule to colony.

The transformation of an insect species from a solitary lifestyle to advanced colonial existence requires alterations in every system of the body, coupled with sufficient plasticity in the traits prescribed by the genes to generate strong differences among the adult castes. A picture of this revolution at the genomic level is published in this issue (page 931)1.

  1. Edward O. Wilson is at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138–2902, USA.
    Email: ewilson@oeb.harvard.edu

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