Asexual Queen Succession in Termites

Abstract Termite species from phylogenetically distant lineages were shown to combine both sexual and parthenogenetic reproductions, in a breeding system dubbed as ‘asexual queen succession’. Queens of these species use sexual reproduction for the production of the workforce and dispersers, and thelytokous parthenogenesis for the production of nondispersing queens. These new queens, often produced in large numbers, will replace their mother upon her death and mate with the founding king. Replacement by these parthenogens maintains the colony's genetic diversity and enhances its growth rate, lifespan and reproductive potential. This breeding system also allows the efficient purging of recessive deleterious mutations from the genomes and contributes to shape the population sex ratio of these species. This conditional parthenogenesis evolved from a diverse cytological background, and in phylogenetically distant species with contrasted lifestyles, thereby highlighting the inherent evolutionary advantages of this strategy. Key Concepts The historical view of a lifelong monogamy between a primary queen and king in termites now appears obsolete. Termite queens of some species combine the advantages of sexual and asexual reproductions in a breeding system called asexual queen succession (AQS). AQS shapes the genomes of these species by the elimination of recessive deleterious mutations through parthenogenetically produced new queens. AQS, along with the species' ecology and lifestyle, influences their population sex ratio. Variations in the modalities of AQS indicate that its benefits are used in a species‐specific manner.