Comprehensive analysis of male-free reproduction in Monomorium triviale (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

We report comprehensive evidence for obligatory thelytokous parthenogenesis in an ant Monomorium triviale . This species is characterized by distinct queen–worker dimorphism with strict reproductive division of labor: queens produce both workers and new without mating, whereas are completely sterile. collected 333 nests this from 14 localities three laboratory-reared populations Japan. All wild dissected had no sperm their spermathecae. Laboratory observation confirmed that virgin produced mating. Furthermore, microsatellite genotyping showed identical heterozygous genotypes between mothers respective daughters, suggesting extremely low probability sexual reproduction. Microbial analysis detected bacterial genera known to induce Hymenoptera. Finally, the lack variation partial sequences mitochondrial DNA among individuals sampled across Japan suggests recent rapid spread or selective sweep. M would be a promising model system superorganism-like adaptation through comparative well-studied congeners, including pharaoh pharaonis