One Mother For Two Species: The Complex Lifecycle of Harvester Ants

Eusociality is a complex reproductive strategy where the sterile worker castes help their sexual relatives reproduce. In this presentation, we will explore how extreme caste differentiation can trigger genetic conflicts within a colony and drive the evolution of complex reproductive modes. In particular, we will focus on xenoparity, a remarkable case of cross-species cloning in Messor harvester ants, where queens must produce individuals of different species as part of their lifecycle.

Jonathan Romiguier's research focuses on the links between species ecology and molecular evolution. In particular, he studies genome evolution in species with a eusocial lifestyle or atypical reproductive systems. His primary model species is the barbarian harvester ant Messor barbarus, which exhibits an unusual reproductive system in which royalty is genetically determined. This system, known as social hybridogenesis, involves two queen genetic lineages that can each produce only queens and males independently, while hybridization between the lineages is required to produce workers. Jonathan uses approaches in phylogeny, population genetics, and experimental biology to investigate the origin of this system, as well as to address broader questions in evolutionary biology.

Brad Ashby Memorial Lecture

This annual lecture is delivered by the British Entomological & Natural History Society and London Natural History Society as a joint venture in memory of Charles Bradwin Ashby (1920 - 1994). Brad was a prominent member of both organistions and in 1985 he proposed the joint meetings which have successfully continued to this day, and since 2020 have been in a virtual format.

This virtual event is being supported by the Biological Recording Company.