Scientists Discover Unique Ant Species in Japan Composed Only of Queens That Reproduce Asexually

Kathmandu. It is difficult to imagine a colony of ants without workers. However, scientists have discovered a strange ant species that has neither workers nor males. This species, found only in Japan and named 'Temnothorax kinnamonum', consists only of queens who reproduce without the help of males.

A team of Japanese and German researchers recently uncovered the secret of this species. By studying 43 queen ant eggs in a laboratory, they confirmed that these ants reproduce offspring through the process of parthenogenesis.

In this process, the queen produces clones or copies of herself from unfertilized eggs. While this process is seen in some other insects, it is a very rare and novel occurrence in ants.

According to scientists, the evolutionary path of this species is very interesting. It is believed that this species evolved from ancestors that enslaved others. Initially dependent on others for labor, this species gradually lost its males and workers and developed the unique ability to reproduce on its own to ensure its survival.

Their lifestyle is also very aggressive. To raise their offspring, they attack the colonies of their closest relative species, Temnothorax macora. They kill the queens and some workers there and force the remaining workers to raise their young.

According to Dr. Juergen Heinze of the University of Regensburg in Germany, this is the final stage of social parasitism development, proving how flexible the life cycle of social insects can be. This new social structure of ants has astonished the scientific community.