Understanding the effects of environmental changes on social insects using big data evolutionary genomics.

Animals are constantly exposed to environmental challenges. These comes from conspecifics, for example a change in social hierarchy through the death or birth of dominant individuals, or from external forces, for example a changing climate or pesticide exposure. Theory is insufficient. We will harness recently available technologies to provide detailed novel insight on the molecular mechanisms and constraints underpinning responses to environmental changes. Our results will have major implications on understanding short- and long-term responses to environmental changes, including for the evolution of new complex phenotypes.