Stunning discovery on European ant queen producing sons of two species, shocked scientists

European Ant Queen Produces Sons of Two Species (Image: Nature)

In a stunning discovery, European ant queens display extraordinary reproductive strategy. Messor ibericus queens can produce males belonging to two species. This remarkable finding was recently reported in a study on ants. Queens generate worker ants that carry hybrid genes from both species.

Hybrid Workers Sustain Colonies Locally

Colonies sustain themselves even when Messor structor males are absent. Workers possess 50 percent ancestry from each of the two species. The queen manipulates reproduction to maintain colony workforce efficiently and cleverly. Hybrid workers are essential for colony survival in their natural habitats.

Xenoparity: A New Reproductive Phenomenon in Ants

Scientists propose the term “xenoparity” for this unique reproduction type. Female ants produce offspring genetically belonging to another species entirely. Some eggs produce males identical to Messor ibericus, others Messor structor. Mitochondria always derive from the queen, linking all offspring maternally.

Mechanism Behind Cross-Species Male Production

Queens store sperm from multiple males, including different species sperm. For worker production, Messor structor sperm contributes half the genetic material.

For males, nuclear genome either comes from queen or foreign sperm. This allows queens to produce males even without nearby Messor structor.

Significance of Queens’ Reproductive Strategy

This reproductive strategy challenges conventional boundaries between ant species entirely. It demonstrates remarkable flexibility in eusocial insects’ reproductive systems.

Colonies exploit cross-species genetics to sustain worker population and reproduction. The discovery opens questions about species identity, genetics, and evolution.

Implications for Evolutionary Biology

Researchers highlight how queens can manipulate reproduction for colony benefit. The system may inspire further studies in hybridisation and eusocial evolution.

This finding expands our understanding of genetic conflict and reproductive strategies. It marks one of the most unusual examples of animal reproduction.