2014/11/17 by Toshihisa Yashiro, Kenji Matsuura · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Social Sciences · #Asexual reproduction #Biology #Ecology #Evolution and Genetic Dynamics #Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation #Genetics #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Reproduction #Sexual reproduction #Sperm #Zoology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1073/pnas.1412481111
openalex publication_date 2014/11/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
Males and females are in conflict over genetic transmission in the evolution of parthenogenesis, because it enhances female reproductive output but deprives the males' genetic contribution. For males, any trait that coerces females into sexual reproduction should increase their fitness. However, in the termite Reticulitermes speratus, queens produce their replacements (neotenic queens) parthenogenetically while using normal sexual reproduction to produce other colony members. Here, we show that termite queens produce parthenogenetic offspring in the presence of kings by closing the micropyles (sperm gates; i.e., openings for sperm entry) of their eggs. Our field survey showed that termite eggs show large variation in numbers of micropyles, with some having none. Microsatellite analysis showed that embryos of micropyleless eggs develop parthenogenetically, whereas those of eggs with micropyles are fertilized and develop sexually. Surveys of eggs among queens of different age groups showed that queens begin to lay micropyleless eggs when they are older and thus, need to produce their replacements parthenogenetically. In addition, we found clear seasonality in new neotenic queen differentiation and micropyleless egg production. This micropyle-dependent parthenogenesis is the first identification, to our knowledge, of the mechanism through which females control egg fertilization over time in diploid animals, implying a novel route of the evolution of parthenogenesis in favor of female interests without interference from males.