Seasonal gene expression of the ManhattAnt underlies adaptations to changing climates and extreme urbanization

Temperature is a significant abiotic facilitator of biological activity. As global temperatures increase, organisms may phenologically and genetically adapt to changing environments. Urban environments, such as New York City, may be used as a model for understanding genetic adaptation to increases in seasonal temperatures. While urbanization has not been shown to significantly contribute to global warming, its concentrated anthropomorphic activities create an urban heat island (UHI) effect. An urbanized ecosystem extirpates native species through biotic homogenization, as observed in ManhattAnts (Lasius emarginatus), a recently introduced species with unique behavioral adaptations for foraging and communication. Seasonal and abnormal variations in temperature have shown to induce differential gene expression relating to essential biological functions in numerous social insects. Analyses of gene expression patterns may help predict future changes within urban insect populations, as a result of global warming. This study analyzed expression patterns of genes of interest in Manhattan ant colonies to reveal the molecular signatures of adaptation to urban environments and climate. Results from this study may be used to investigate adaptation across other insect taxa to anthropomorphic changes in the environment or predict their success as invaders of urban environments.