Kamhi, J. FrancesArganda, SaraMoreau, Corrie S.Traniello, James F. A.2018-02-212018-02-212017-10-10Kamhi JF, Arganda S, Moreau CS and Traniello JFA (2017) Origins of Aminergic Regulation of Behavior in Complex Insect Social Systems. Front. Syst. Neurosci. 11:74. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2017.000741662-5137https://hdl.handle.net/2144/27132Neuromodulators are conserved across insect taxa, but how biogenic amines and their receptors in ancestral solitary forms have been co-opted to control behaviors in derived socially complex species is largely unknown. Here we explore patterns associated with the functions of octopamine (OA), serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in solitary ancestral insects and their derived functions in eusocial ants, bees, wasps and termites. Synthesizing current findings that reveal potential ancestral roles of monoamines in insects, we identify physiological processes and conserved behaviors under aminergic control, consider how biogenic amines may have evolved to modulate complex social behavior, and present focal research areas that warrant further study.Copyright © 2017 Kamhi, Arganda, Moreau and Traniello. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/NeurosciencesMedical physiologyPhysiologyNeuromodulationBiogenic aminesEusocialSocial brain evolutionCollective intelligenceArticle10.3389/fnsys.2017.000740000-0002-5315-6987 (Traniello, James F. A.)