Why in the News?
A groundbreaking study published in Nature (2025) has revealed that Messor ibericus, a Mediterranean harvester ant species, can produce male offspring of a completely different species, Messor structor.
About the Specie Messor ibericus:
- Overview: A Mediterranean harvester ant, widely distributed across Southern Europe, known for its grain-harvesting behaviour and large colonies.
- Hybrid Workers: All workers are hybrids, carrying DNA from both Messor ibericus and Messor structor.
- Cross-Species Male Production: About 10% of queen’s eggs develop into pure Messor structor males, even without nearby structor colonies.
- Genetic Signature: These males retain Messor ibericus mitochondrial DNA, proving maternal origin.
- Reproductive Strategy: As per the Nature study:
- Ibericus sperm produces new queens.
- Structor sperm produces hybrid workers and additional structor males.
- Evolutionary Significance: First documented case of a species naturally producing offspring of another species, challenging classical species concepts.
- Colony Advantage: By producing both hybrid workers and pure structor males, queens secure compatible mates for future generations, sustaining both lineages.
| [UPSC 2024] Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?
Options: (a) Fig* (b) Mahua (c) Sandalwood (d) Silk cotton |
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