Comparative screening of endosymbiotic bacteria associated with the asexual and sexual lineages of the termiteGlyptotermes nakajimai

Abstract

Males provide opportunities both for sexual reproduction and for sex-based phenotypic differences within animal societies. In termites, the ubiquitous presence of both male and female workers and soldiers indicate that males play a critical role in colonies of these insects. However, we have recently reported all-female asexual societies in a lineage of the termite Glyptotermes nakajimaia dramatic transition from mixed-sex to all-female asexual societies. It is known that female-producing parthenogenesis in insects can be induced by maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Rickettsia. Here, we screen for the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria in the asexual and sexual lineages of G. nakajimai. Our bacterial screening of the asexual lineage did not reveal any likely causal agents for parthenogenetic reproduction, whereas screening of the sexual lineage resulted in Wolbachia being detected. Our findings suggest that the asexuality in G. nakajimai is likely to be maintained without manipulation by endosymbiotic bacteria.

Female‐biased sex allocation and lack of inbreeding avoidance in Cubitermes termites

“…However, the exact nature of the symbiosis in termites remains largely unknown (but see Hellemans, Kaczmarek, et al., 2019), and a parasitic association cannot be assumed without causal proof. For example, variable sex allocation, which is driven by parthenogenesis and within‐colony inbreeding, and Wolbachia co‐occur in some other termites without being causally linked (Hellemans, Fournier, et al., 2019; Matsuura et al., 2004; Yashiro & Lo, 2019). If Wolbachia caused the observed female‐biased sex allocation, this may generate fitness costs due to reduced mating success during the nuptial flight and diminished reproductive success due to male‐killing of offspring (Charlat et al., 2003).…”

A comprehensive review on the documented characteristics of four Reticulitermes termites (Rhinotermitidae, Blattodea) of China

“…The adult female mate with a male, the sperm are transferred and stored in the spermatheca of the female (Raina et al, 2007;Saran et al, 2007;Husseneder et al, 2012a;Yashiro and Lo, 2019). The sperm is released from the spermatheca, to fertilize the ovum in the genital cavity and then expelled through the gonopore (Raina et al, 2003;Raina et al, 2007).…”

Asexual Queen Succession in Termites

“…The evolution of AQS requires both the capacity to reproduce parthenogenetically (tychoparthenogenesis) and the developmental propensity of parthenogens to develop into neotenic queens (Nozaki et al 2018). In termites, evidence points towards queens to be intrinsically able to reproduce parthenogenetically, rather than induced by intracellular Asexual queen succession in termites (A29115) 9 endosymbiotic bacteria (Matsuura et al 2004;Yashiro and Lo 2019;Hellemans et al 2019c).…”