Sex at the margins: parthenogenesis vs. facultative and obligate sex in a Neotropical ant

• DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12025
• Publication Date: 2012-11-12T21:34:10Z
• Authors: K. Kellner; J. N. Seal; J. Heinze
• Keywords: Parthenogenesis; Asexual reproduction; Apomixis; Obligate; Sexual reproduction

Abstract Geographic parthenogenesis is a distribution pattern, in which parthenogenetic populations tend to live marginal habitats, at higher latitudes and altitudes island‐like habitats compared with the sexual forms. The facultatively ant P latythyrea punctata thought exhibit this general pattern throughout its wide range C entral A merica Caribbean Islands. Workers of P. from aribbean produce diploid female offspring unfertilized eggs by thelytokous parthenogenesis, mated females males are rare. In contrast, workers one colony Costa Rica were incapable thelytoky; instead produced all offspring. Because sample sizes very low former studies, we here use microsatellite markers explicit tests thelytoky examine population genetic structure ancestral derived merica. Populations islands fully capable signatures indicate that predominant mode reproduction, although occasionally produced. northernmost on mainland ( T exas) showed individuals reproduction thelytoky. Contrary expectations geographic most parts found be thelytokous, both reproduction.