Evolution and origin of complex genetic organisms

Whilst the standard Mendelian rules of inheritance are the most familiar to most researchers, and common across many groups of organisms, a large minority of animals diverge from this. Included in this are eusocial groups such as ants, wasps, bees and termites. These creatures can be thought of not only as groups of individuals (workers, queens, kings), but also as a single complex genetic organism (a “superorganism”). Amongst these groups a wide array of genetic and mating systems have also emerged. I first describe some of the variation in some of the genetic systems we see, and then outline some plans for models of molecular evolution in these species. I'll discuss how these groups may enable some non-standard forms of meiotic drive, which in turn may help explain the origin of some of the unusual genetic features and systems that we observe.