Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41947428›Full record

ArticleGigaScience2026

Comparative analysis of 163 ant genomes reveals recurrent horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to ants.

Janina L Rinke, Lukas Franke, Ding He, Maike L Fischer, Joel Vizueta, Lars A Eicholt, Rasmus S Larsen, Zijun Xiong, Phoebe Cunningham, Lee M Henry and 5 more

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in GigaScience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Janina L RinkeInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, DE-48149 Münster, Germany.ORCID 0009-0006-0830-3411
Lukas FrankeInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, DE-48149 Münster, Germany.
Ding HeSection for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Maike L FischerDepartment of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, DE-07745 Jena, Germany.
Joel VizuetaSection for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lars A EicholtInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, DE-48149 Münster, Germany.
Rasmus S LarsenSection for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Zijun XiongSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, China.
Phoebe CunninghamSchool of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University London, London E1 4NS, UK.
Lee M HenrySchool of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University London, London E1 4NS, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-5706-1328
Martin KaltenpothDepartment of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, DE-07745 Jena, Germany.
Jürgen GadauInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, DE-48149 Münster, Germany.
Guojie ZhangEvolutionary & Organismal Biology Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.ORCID 0000-0001-6860-1521
Jacobus J BoomsmaSection for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lukas SchraderInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, DE-48149 Münster, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-9863-0526

Funding

DFGGerman Research Foundation 502787686Villum Foundation 25900
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHorizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria can drive phenotypic innovation and adaptation in eukaryotes. Ants are likely carriers of HGT-derived genes, as they have repeatedly established mutualistic associations with vertically transmitted bacterial symbionts with direct access to the germline. However, the prevalence of HGT across ants and most other insects remains virtually unexplored.

resultsHere, we systematically investigated the genomes of over 160 species of ants and uncovered 497 protein-coding HGT events in 85 species, predominantly derived from intracellular symbionts. Among these, we identified several HGTs likely underpinning functional innovations, primarily by mediating immune-system adaptations or facilitating nutritional niche expansions. Several of these HGTs were conserved in sequence and synteny across multiple species, consistent with strong signatures of purifying selection over up to 40 million years. Functional and structural analysis of a horizontally acquired Xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase gene of Cardiocondyla ants reveals deep entrenchment of this protein in basic energy metabolism of the host, facilitated by the enzyme's substrate promiscuity.

conclusionsThis study provides insights into the abundance and diversity of HGT from bacteria in the evolutionary history of ants. Furthermore, our comparative and functional analyses suggest that many of the horizontally acquired genes serve adaptive functions in ants, most prominently by expanding metabolic pathways or modulating immune responses.

Indexed as

AntsBacteriaGene Transfer, HorizontalGenome, InsectAnimalsEvolution, MolecularGenomicsPhylogenySymbiosisbacteriacomparative genomicsendosymbiontsFormicidaehorizontal gene transferlysozymepeptidoglycan degradationsocial insects

Identifiers

PMID41947428
PMCPMC13320244

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.