JOURNAL ARTICLE

Ant queen lays eggs that hatch into two species.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Stokstad, Erik 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses a groundbreaking discovery regarding the reproductive behavior of the Iberian harvester ant (Messor ibericus), which has been found to clone males from a distantly related species, M. structor. Researchers led by an evolutionary biologist from the University of Montpellier revealed that M. ibericus queens mate with M. structor males and then produce male offspring that are clones of the M. structor males, despite the two species having diverged approximately 5 million years ago. This unique reproductive strategy allows M. ibericus colonies to thrive in areas where M. structor is absent, highlighting a complex interdependence between the two species. The findings challenge traditional notions of species and reproduction, suggesting a deeper understanding of evolutionary biology. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/09, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Biography
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:187766389
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