Clonal-reproduction
Guides
Platythyrea
Platythyrea is a genus of predatory ants in the subfamily Ponerinae and the sole member of the tribe Platythyreini. Workers range from 4–20 mm in size. The genus exhibits remarkable reproductive diversity: most species have gamergates (reproductive female workers), though P. conradti has ergatoid queens instead. Some species with gamergates also produce alate queens. The genus has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions.
Tamalia
Ericaceous Gall Aphids, Manzanita Leaf Gall Aphids
Tamalia is a Nearctic genus of gall-forming aphids and the sole genus in the subfamily Tamaliinae. Eight described species induce galls on woody plants in the heath family (Ericaceae), primarily on manzanita (Arctostaphylos) and related genera. The genus exhibits a distinctive social system in which multiple foundresses co-occupy galls, a trait that has been exploited by the evolution of socially parasitic inquiline species within the same genus.
Tamaliinae
Tamaliinae is a small subfamily of aphids (Aphididae) containing the Nearctic genus Tamalia. Members are obligate gall-formers on woody plants in the family Ericaceae, including Arctostaphylos, Arbutus, and Comarostaphylis. The subfamily exhibits social behavior, with foundresses co-occupying galls and high relatedness among colony members. Some species act as inquilines, acting as obligate parasites within galls of other Tamalia species.
Vollenhovia
Vollenhovia is a genus of myrmicine ants distributed primarily in the Australasian and Oriental regions, with notable diversity in India, Sri Lanka, and East Asia. The genus contains species exhibiting remarkable reproductive strategies, including clonal reproduction by males (androgenesis) and queen polymorphism in wing morphology. At least one species, Vollenhovia nipponica, has evolved workerless social parasitism (inquilinism) on congeneric hosts. The genus serves as an important model system for studying the evolution of unusual caste determination, sex determination systems, and reproductive isolation mechanisms.
Vollenhovia emeryi
Vollenhovia emeryi is a queen-polymorphic ant species notable for its unusual reproductive biology. The species produces two distinct queen morphs: long-winged (L) and short-winged (S) forms, which exhibit genetic differentiation and reproductive isolation. Both male and female sexuals are produced clonally, while workers arise sexually from fertilized eggs—a reversal of the typical Hymenopteran pattern. The long-winged morph shows complete association with Wolbachia infection, while short-winged morphs lack this bacterial endosymbiont.
Wasmannia
Wasmannia is a genus of small myrmicine ants in the tribe Attini, established by Forel in 1893. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed across the Neotropics, with the most notable being Wasmannia auropunctata, commonly known as the electric ant or little fire ant. This species has achieved global notoriety as one of the world's most destructive invasive ant species, having spread from its native range in Central and South America to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide including Florida, Hawaii, Australia, and numerous Pacific islands. The genus is characterized by small, monomorphic workers with a well-developed sting apparatus.