Caste development and sex ratio of the Ryukyu drywood termite Neotermes sugioi and its potential mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: Sex allocation is one of the most studied traits in evolutionary biology because its theoretical predictions match the empirical data. Here, using the Ryukyu dry-wood termite Neotermes sugioi, we investigated several factors that could bias the sex allocation in three populations (Okinawa, Ishigaki/Iriomote, and Yonaguni). Our survey showed that there were more queen-only colonies than king-only colonies in these populations, suggesting a longer lifespan of the queens than that of the kings. In this condition, sex-asymmetric reproductive value (SRV) theory predicts female bias, because even after the short-lived kings die, the long-lived queens can continue reproduction with their sons. However, sex allocation in this species seemed to be biased toward males. Furthermore, we examined the p

SUBMITTER: Miyaguni Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8298410 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature