2009/03/26 by Kenji Matsuura, Edward L. Vargo, Kazutaka Kawatsu +4 · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Social Sciences · #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Plant and animal studies #Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation #Asexual reproduction #Biology #Parthenogenesis #Eusociality #Sexual reproduction #Reproduction #Ecology #Evolutionary biology #Zoology #Hymenoptera #Genetics #Embryo
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1169702
openalex publication_date 2009/03/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
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.