@article{fdi:010070196,
  title = {{A}sexual queen succession mediates an accelerated colony life cycle in the termite {S}ilvestritermes minutus},
  author = {{F}ougeyrollas, {R}. and {K}rivanek, {J}. and {R}oy, {V}. and {D}olejsava, {K}. and {F}rechault, {S}. and {R}oisin, {Y}. and {H}anus, {R}. and {S}illam-{D}uss{\`e}s, {D}avid},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}ixed modes of reproduction, combining sexual processes with thelytokous parthenogenesis, occur in all major clades of social insects. {I}n several species of termites, queens maximize their genetic input into nondispersing replacement queens through parthenogenesis, while maintaining genetically diverse sterile offspring and dispersing reproductives via sexual reproduction. {T}his so-called asexual queen succession ({AQS}) has multiple independent origins and its presumed advantages are diverse as well, ranging from multiplication of colony reproductive potential to extension of its life-span beyond that of the foundress. {H}owever, how {AQS} shapes colony life cycles under natural conditions remains poorly known. {T}he neotropical termite {S}ilvestritermes minutus inhabits small but conspicuous nests, offering a unique opportunity to investigate the impact of {AQS} on life history. {W}e report on its breeding system, life cycle and sex allocation using social structure census in 137 nests and genotyping of 12 colonies at 12 microsatellite loci. {W}e show that colonies are established by an outbred pair of primary reproductives. {I}n less than 2 years, the foundress is replaced by multiple neotenic queens, arising mostly through automixis with central fusion. {S}terile castes, male and most (93%) female dispersers are produced sexually. {C}olony reproduction is usually restricted to a single dispersal of alates with unbiased sex ratio, taking place after 3 years. {W}e conclude that {S}. minutus benefits from {AQS} to maximize colony growth rate and alate production within a very short life cycle rather than to extend colony lifespan. {T}his highlights the versatile role of {AQS} in different cases of its polyphyletic origin.},
  keywords = {asexual queen succession ; breeding system ; life history ; parthenogenesis ; {S}ilvestritermes minutus ; termites ; {GUYANE} {FRANCAISE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{M}olecular {E}cology},
  volume = {26},
  numero = {12},
  pages = {3295--3308},
  ISSN = {0962-1083},
  year = {2017},
  DOI = {10.1111/mec.14095},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010070196},
}