Queen succession through asexual reproduction in termites.
The evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction may involve important tradeoffs because asexual reproduction can double an individual's contribution to the gene pool but reduces diversity. Moreover, in social insects the maintenance of genetic diversity among workers may be important for colony growth and survival. We identified a previously unknown termite breeding system in which both parthenogenesis and sexual reproduction are conditionally used. Queens produce their replacements asexually but use normal sexual reproduction to produce other colony members. These findings show how eusociality can lead to extraordinary reproductive systems and provide important insights into the advantages and disadvantages of sex.
Matsuura
Kenji
K
Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan. kenjijpn@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp
Vargo
Edward L
EL
Kawatsu
Kazutaka
K
Labadie
Paul E
PE
Nakano
Hiroko
H
Yashiro
Toshihisa
T
Tsuji
Kazuki
K