The existence of sex in many organisms and the significance of male existence are one of the greatest mysteries regarding the evolution of organisms.For example, in insects such as Orthoptera and Flies, many species that propagate by parthenogenesis only in females have been confirmed, and the species can survive without males.On the other hand, termites have been considered to be a community of males and females.

　However, this time, the research group discovered for the first time in the world a "female-only termite society" that overturned this bisexual community.When we conducted a collection survey of termites, Nakajima termites, which are endemic to Japan, and investigated the sexes of the colony members, it was found that there were only females and no males in Shikoku and Kyushu.The queen's fertilization sac in this area was found to be completely free of sperm and had a very high incubation rate of parthenogenetic eggs.In addition, male loss is a phenomenon that occurs only once during the evolution of Nakajima white ants, and the ancestors of parthenogenetic populations have multiple characteristics that promote the evolution of parthenogenetic populations as a pre-stage of male loss. It was found that it was.

　This result shows that males are not absolutely necessary components and can be lost under the right conditions.It is considered to have an important meaning in considering what the significance of sex is for living things and what is the significance of male existence for society.

Paper information:[BMC Biology] Loss of males from mixed-sex societies in termites