Genetic-caste-determination

Guides

• 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.

  queen-polymorphismclonal-reproductionthelytokous-parthenogenesisWolbachiawing-reductiongenetic-caste-determinationreproductive-isolation