Karyology, mitochondrial DNA and the phylogeny of Australian termites

Bergamaschi, S.; Dawes-Gromadzki, Tracy Z.; Scali, Valerio; Marini, Mario; Mantovani, Barbara

doi:10.1007/s10577-007-1158-6

Cited by 20 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(70 reference statements)

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“…Studies of termite chromosomes showed that higher termites (Termitidae) have a fixed number of chromosomes (2n=42), while the diploid number of chromosomes in lower termites varies from 28 to 56 (Bergamaschi et al, 2007). Reticulitermes termites have 2n=42 chromosomes.…”

Section: Termite Parthenogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of the asexual queen succession system and its underlying mechanisms in termites

Matsuura

2017

Journal of Experimental Biology

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One major advantage of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction is its promotion of genetic variation, although it reduces the genetic contribution to offspring. Queens of social insects double their contribution to the gene pool, while overuse of asexual reproduction may reduce the ability of the colony to adapt to environmental stress because of the loss of genetic diversity. Recent studies have revealed that queens of some termite species can solve this tradeoff by using parthenogenesis to produce the next generation of queens and sexual reproduction to produce other colony members. This reproductive system, known as asexual queen succession (AQS), has been identified in the subterranean termites Reticulitermes speratus, Reticulitermes virginicus and Reticulitermes lucifugus and in the Neotropical higher termites Embiratermes neotenicus and Cavitermes tuberosus. The studies presented here have uncovered the unusual modes of reproduction in termites and have aimed to identify their underlying mechanisms. The study of AQS, the mixed use of sexual and asexual reproduction, is of fundamental importance as it may provide a key to solve the evolutionary paradox of sex.

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Section: Termite Parthenogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of the asexual queen succession system and its underlying mechanisms in termites

Matsuura

2017

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Parthenogenesis induced by endosymbiotic bacteria has only been confirmed in host taxa with haplo-diploid sex determination (in which males develop from unfertilized haploid eggs and females from fertilized eggs), although the strong overrepresentation of haplo-diploids among species with known endosymbiont-induced parthenogenesis may be due to an ascertainment bias [9]. Termites are diploid and typically have an XY sex determination system [11]. Notably, four of six examined termite species with facultative parthenogenesis do not appear to harbour endosymbiotic bacteria [12,13].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Yashiro

2019

Communicative & Integrative Biology

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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.

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“…Within Isoptera (termites), the more evolved, i.e. "higher" groups are karyologically uniform with 2n = 42, while "lower" termites are more variable, with 2n ranging from 28 to 56 (Bergamaschi et al, 2007). very little is known about the karyotypes of the small order Embio pte ra in which chromosome numbers lie between 19 and 23 (White, 1976;Hodson et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First chromosomal study of Mantophasmatodea: Karyotype of Karoophasma biedouwense (Austrophasmatidae)

Lachowska‐Cierlik¹,

Maryańska-Nadachowska²,

Kuznetsova³

et al. 2015

Eur. J. Entomol.

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We have investigated for the first time the chromosomes of Karoophasma biedouwense, a species belonging to the Mantophasmatodea, a recently discovered order of carnivorous insects. Our study has revealed that males of this species display testes with numerous seminal tubes (follicles), as in other Polyneoptera, and short tubular seminal vesicles embedded in a utricular gland. The karyotype consists of 2n = 12A + X monocentric and biarmed, meta/submetacentric chromosomes (fundamental number of arms: FN = 26) with blocks of heterochromatin around centromeres. The autosomes are classified into two size groups, one represented by a single, very large pair of autosomes, the other by five smaller pairs which constitute a continuous series gradually decreasing in size. Among "monocentric" orders of Polyneoptera, K. biedouwense shares its low chromosome number, 2n = 13, as also found with some Orthoptera (Acridoidea, Grylloidea, Gryllacridoidea). Male meiosis is of the classical pre-reductional type and the X(0) sex determination system is probably an ancestral state. use of FISH along with an 18S rDNA probe revealed multiple ribosomal clusters, which most likely represent an apomorphic condition. We identified the ancestral insect telomeric sequence (TTAGG) n in the terminal areas of the chromosomes. Currently available data on the polyneopteran orders putatively related to Mantophasmatodea showed a wide variability of cytogenetic characteristics within and between them. The only character allowing some tentative inference to be made on the ancestry of K. biedouwense is its low chromosome number, the karyotypic pattern so far unreported for the Polyneoptera except in certain Orthoptera.

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Karyology, mitochondrial DNA and the phylogeny of Australian termites

Cited by 20 publications

References 53 publications

Evolution of the asexual queen succession system and its underlying mechanisms in termites

Evolution of the asexual queen succession system and its underlying mechanisms in termites

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

First chromosomal study of Mantophasmatodea: Karyotype of Karoophasma biedouwense (Austrophasmatidae)

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