Obligate chimerism in male yellow crazy ants

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Darras, H.; Berney, C.; Hasin, S.; Drescher, J.; Feldhaar, H.; Keller, L.
• 署名单位: Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz; University of Lausanne; Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University; University of Gottingen; University of Bayreuth
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-14115
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adf0419
• 发表日期: 2023-04-01
• 页码: 55-58
• 关键词: anoplolepis-gracilipes; somatic-cell; caste; hymenoptera; EVOLUTION; hybrid; origin

摘要

Multicellular organisms typically develop from a single fertilized egg and therefore consist of clonal cells. We report an extraordinary reproductive system in the yellow crazy ant. Males are chimeras of haploid cells from two divergent lineages: R and W. R cells are overrepresented in the males' somatic tissues, whereas W cells are overrepresented in their sperm. Chimerism occurs when parental nuclei bypass syngamy and divide separately within the same egg. When syngamy takes place, the diploid offspring either develops into a queen when the oocyte is fertilized by an R sperm or into a worker when fertilized by a W sperm. This study reveals a mode of reproduction that may be associated with a conflict between lineages to preferentially enter the germ line.