Ant Queen’s Unbelievable Reproductive Strategy Discovered
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about Iberian harvester ants, revealing that queens can lay eggs that develop into two different species. This unusual reproductive method, linked to a loss of the ability to produce worker ants, has significant implications for our understanding of ant biology.
The study found that Iberian harvester queens can clone the sperm of Messor structor ants, creating hybrid workers without needing to mate. This process, called sexual domestication, allows the ants to thrive despite geographic separation from their mates. Experts suggest this may lead to a loss of genetic diversity, potentially threatening the species' long-term survival. What do you think about this unique adaptation?
#Ants #Biology #Evolution
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/13/science/iberian-harvester-ants-two-species