Complexity through gene loss
Termites didn't evolve complex societies by gaining new genes — they did it by losing them. Genes for sperm competition, independent digestion, and solo metabolism became costly once organisms started cooperating. The simpler the genome, the more efficient the colony.
Click to drop food. Arrow keys adjust mutation rate (gene loss chance). Watch genomes shrink as colonies grow.
Based on Cui et al. (2026), Science — University of Sydney research on termite genome simplification and the evolution of eusociality.