No Men?!!!!

Sheldonrs · 04-16-2009, 10:25 AM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wil...ical-ants.html

Females get along fine without males - in the world of tropical ants
A type of tropical ant has dispensed with males altogether, according to scientists, and only the female of the species exists.

By Alastair Jamieson
Last Updated: 3:04PM BST 16 Apr 2009

The Mycocepurus smithii ant is the first known to be a male-free species
Experts have discovered a South American species that is exclusively female and reproduces asexually by cloning the queen.

Reproduction without sex is fairly common in the ant world, but the Mycocepurus smithii is the first known to be a male-free species. The phenomenon takes the stress out of finding a mate and may help keep the peace in colonies, the scientists believe.

Researchers were first drawn to Mycocepurus smithii by its skill at cultivating various different fungal crops for food but closer inspection raised questions about the ants' sex life.

Six separate tests on the ants failed to uncover any males, researchers led by Anna Himler at the University of Texas at Austin wrote in the British journal Proceedings of the Royal Society.

The findings run counter to scientific theories that say asexuality is an evolutionary disadvantage because it eliminates mutations and generates genetic diversity more slowly than sexual reproduction.

The researchers carried out half a dozen tests, including field surveys of colonies from Panama to Argentina, examining the reproductive system of queen ants, and testing the genes of clones and their mothers.

They also tested whether bacteria could be the cause of the ants' asexuality and whether treating females with antibiotics or changing the fungus they fed on would stimulate the production of males.

One possible advantage of asexual reproduction is that it avoids the need to find a mate and the efforts associated with mating, according to the researchers.

SteveDallas · 04-16-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

One possible advantage of asexual reproduction is that it avoids the need to find a mate and the efforts associated with mating, according to the researchers.

Hard to argue with that one . . ..

Shawnee123 · 04-16-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

One possible advantage of asexual reproduction is that it avoids the need to find a mate and the efforts associated with mating, according to the researchers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

Hard to argue with that one . . ..

Well yeah, but it sure can't be much fun. I can just imagine their little tiny ant strap-ons.

I'm sorry, did I type that out loud?

sweetwater · 04-16-2009, 11:55 AM

Some types of whiptail lizards reproduce without males, though I think an occasional dude lizard shows up. There's more info in one of my several books are weird animal facts. Meanwhile, I love that for ants

Quote:

changing the fungus they fed on would stimulate the production of males

Trilby · 04-16-2009, 12:18 PM

a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle, right Gloria?

The Teapot · 04-17-2009, 03:02 AM

To be fair ants have never been big on gender differences. More into the whole one girl, five guys and a army of slaves thing.

...

Ants are into S&M?...

Trilby · 04-17-2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Teapot

Ants are into S&M?...

Spainards and Mexicans?

SteveDallas · 04-17-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Well yeah, but it sure can't be much fun. I can just imagine their little tiny ant strap-ons.

I'm sorry, did I type that out loud?

That's quite an imagination you have there.

xoxoxoBruce · 04-18-2009, 05:28 AM

Imagination hell, that's from her diary.

Shawnee123 · 04-18-2009, 06:20 AM

Actually, it is part of a book I am working on: The Ants Go Munching One By One

toranokaze · 04-22-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Spainards and Mexicans?

Who isn't in to that?

spudcon · 04-22-2009, 08:55 PM

Actually, ants around here keep aphids as cattle, and harvest their honeydew. Aphids reproduce asexually, so maybe it's diet, or they use aphids as role models?

The Teapot · 04-23-2009, 07:58 AM

Even an ant should feel superior to an Aphid.
They're like miniture sheep, exept the excrement tastes even better.

Shawnee123 · 04-23-2009, 08:15 AM

Yeah, but ant wool is a bitch to remove.

xoxoxoBruce · 04-23-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Teapot

Even an ant should feel superior to an Aphid.
They're like miniture sheep, exept the excrement tastes even better.

I don't think I want to know how you know this.

04-16-2009, 10:25 AM	#1
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	No Men?!!!! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wil...ical-ants.html Females get along fine without males - in the world of tropical ants A type of tropical ant has dispensed with males altogether, according to scientists, and only the female of the species exists. By Alastair Jamieson Last Updated: 3:04PM BST 16 Apr 2009 The Mycocepurus smithii ant is the first known to be a male-free species Experts have discovered a South American species that is exclusively female and reproduces asexually by cloning the queen. Reproduction without sex is fairly common in the ant world, but the Mycocepurus smithii is the first known to be a male-free species. The phenomenon takes the stress out of finding a mate and may help keep the peace in colonies, the scientists believe. Researchers were first drawn to Mycocepurus smithii by its skill at cultivating various different fungal crops for food but closer inspection raised questions about the ants' sex life. Six separate tests on the ants failed to uncover any males, researchers led by Anna Himler at the University of Texas at Austin wrote in the British journal Proceedings of the Royal Society. The findings run counter to scientific theories that say asexuality is an evolutionary disadvantage because it eliminates mutations and generates genetic diversity more slowly than sexual reproduction. The researchers carried out half a dozen tests, including field surveys of colonies from Panama to Argentina, examining the reproductive system of queen ants, and testing the genes of clones and their mothers. They also tested whether bacteria could be the cause of the ants' asexuality and whether treating females with antibiotics or changing the fungus they fed on would stimulate the production of males. One possible advantage of asexual reproduction is that it avoids the need to find a mate and the efforts associated with mating, according to the researchers. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

04-16-2009, 12:18 PM	#5
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle, right Gloria? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

04-18-2009, 05:28 AM	#9
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Imagination hell, that's from her diary. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

04-18-2009, 06:20 AM	#10
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Actually, it is part of a book I am working on: The Ants Go Munching One By One __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

04-22-2009, 08:55 PM	#12
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	Actually, ants around here keep aphids as cattle, and harvest their honeydew. Aphids reproduce asexually, so maybe it's diet, or they use aphids as role models? __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

04-17-2009, 03:02 AM	#6
The Teapot May Ter Dee Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The retirement home Posts: 26	To be fair ants have never been big on gender differences. More into the whole one girl, five guys and a army of slaves thing. ... Ants are into S&M?...

04-23-2009, 07:58 AM	#13
The Teapot May Ter Dee Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The retirement home Posts: 26	Even an ant should feel superior to an Aphid. They're like miniture sheep, exept the excrement tastes even better.

04-23-2009, 08:15 AM	#14
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Yeah, but ant wool is a bitch to remove. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

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