Sex-specific division of labor in termites is linked to differential brain architecture and foraging gene expression

Division of labor in social insects is a key factor contributing to their ecological success, often relying on individual's age and body size. In termites, it also extends to sexually dimorphic groups; however, the underlying neural and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between sex-specific division of labor, brain architecture, and expression of the <i>foraging</i> (<i>for</i>) gene in workers of the termite <i>Syntermes dirus</i>. Behavioral assays revealed a striking sex-based division of labor, with male workers acting as foragers and female workers as builders. Consistent with the cognitive demands of foraging, male workers exhibited a larger brain central complex, a sensory center associated with orientation and navigation. Moreover, relative <i>for</i> expression is higher in male workers than in females and soldiers. Finally, we revisited <i>for</i> gene expression in workers and soldiers of different termite species, suggesting species-dependent effects on foraging. Our findings represent a first step toward elucidating how structural and functional brain changes underlie sex-specific division of labor in termites.