Unbelievable discovery: Queen ants produce offspring of two different species, say scientists |

In a discovery that sounds nearly like science fiction, scientists have discovered that queen ants of the Iberian harvester species (Messor ibericus) can produce offspring not simply of their very own form however from a wholly different species. This uncommon phenomenon, referred to as xenoparous copy, has by no means been noticed earlier than within the animal kingdom. Essentially, these queens “borrow” sperm from males of one other species, Messor structor, to produce hybrid employee ants that assist run their colonies. In different phrases, these ants are cloning one other species to make sure their colony survives. The discovering challenges what we thought we knew about copy and evolution, revealing the hidden complexities of social bugs.

How ants are breaking the foundations of copy

Reproduction within the animal world is full of surprises, however the potential of one species’ females to produce offspring from a very different species is extraordinary. Scientists studied 390 ants from 5 species within the Messor genus and found that employee ants in M. ibericus colonies had been genetically different from their queens. Further genetic testing, taking a look at mitochondrial DNA, confirmed that whereas the queens had been M. ibericus, the fathers of the employee ants had been M. structor. This means the queens are successfully producing hybrid offspring, one thing by no means seen in ants earlier than.The method these ants do it’s really fascinating. The queen ants can produce male offspring in two varieties: bushy males which are regular M. ibericus and bald males which are M. structor. Both sorts carry the queen’s mitochondrial DNA, exhibiting that the queens are the moms. Scientists found that the queens can take away their very own genetic materials from the egg and use saved sperm to create males. By doing this, the queens “domesticate” the genes of one other species, producing hybrids that function staff, even in areas the place M. structor males aren’t current. It is a intelligent workaround that ensures the survival and progress of their colonies.

Hybrids discovered 1000’s of kilometers away

Even extra stunning, hybrid employee ants from Sicily had been found over 1,000 kilometers away from the closest identified inhabitants of M. structor. This reveals that the queens’ uncommon reproductive technique isn’t just an area trick. It is a strong adaptation that enables colonies to thrive in locations the place the opposite species doesn’t exist. It is like having a backup workforce prepared regardless of the place the colony is situated.

Questions that stay

Despite this outstanding discovery, many mysteries stay. For occasion, can the M. structor males produced by M. ibericus queens reproduce with their very own species? Are these males hybrids, clones, or one thing solely new? Scientists are eager to discover these questions as a result of the findings may fully reshape our understanding of evolution, social conduct in bugs, and the way species adapt in stunning methods.