| 要旨トップ | 目次 | 日本生態学会第69回全国大会 (2022年3月、福岡) 講演要旨
ESJ69 Abstract


一般講演(ポスター発表) P2-037  (Poster presentation)

Flexible sexual role maintains same-sex pairing in termites 【B】

*Nobuaki MIZUMOTO(OIST), Thomas BOURGUIGNON(OIST), Nathan BAILEY(University of St Andrews)

Evolutionary prevalence of same-sex pairing is puzzling as it cannot result in direct reproduction. Especially, as the partner is different from regular heterosexual pairing, same-sex pairing must change their behavior for successful pair coordination. However, it remains unknown how and why animals retain such special case behaviors. Here we show that mating termites inherit bisexual behavioral repertoire for pair coordination, contributing to same-sex pair maintenance. Mating pairs of a termite, Reticulitermes speratus, show sexual dimorphic movements; female pauses while male moves to ensure the reunion upon accidental separation. We found this dimorphic movement even in same-sex pairing. One changed behavior from the regular heterosexual pairing to move like the other sex. Our data-based simulations confirmed that this context-dependent behavior enhances reunion rates. Furthermore, our phylogenetic analysis suggests that this behavioral plasticity is inherited from the ancestor that had no sex-specific role in pairing. Socio-environmental induction of ancestral behavioral potential is a key to successful same-sex pairing.


日本生態学会