Tropical Ants Have Completely Done Away With Men

Posted by Emily Farris

A species of ant has decided they don't need men anymore. And have done away with them. Completely.

Biologists from the University of Arizona have found that the Amazonian Ant (otherwise known as the Mycocepurus smithii), has "dispensed with sex."

Not only is the Amazonian Ant now an all-female species—basically genetically cloning their daughters to reproduce—the ants are no longer capable of mating even if they had male counterparts. An essential part of the ants' reproductive system, called the "mussel organ," has "degenerated."

[Yahoo!: The all-female ant species that doesn't need sex to reproduce]

Related:

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**The Science of Backing That A*s Up**

Harvard Kids Think Science is Sexy.. And So Can You

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Posted Apr 16 2009, 10:34 AM

Filed under: science, women, men, ants, DNA, scientists, reproduction, females, males, asexual, amazonian ant, asexual ants, university of arizona, mycocepurus smithii, cloning, asexuality, mussel organ, biology

Comments

Litmus said:

Emily please be careful if you try cloning yourself. Your loyal fans would feel rejected.

April 16, 2009 1:08 PM

About Emily Farris

Emily Farris writes about culture and food for numerous publications and websites you've probably never heard of, including her own blog eefers. Her first cookbook, "Casserole Crazy: Hot Stuff for Your Oven" was published in 2008. Emily recently escaped New York and now lives in a ridiculously large apartment in Kansas City, MO with her cat, but just one... so far.