Termite females prefer hybrid mating to parthenogenesis when conspecific males are absent

Parthenogenesis and interspecific hybridization are standby strategies for sexual reproduction, female termites are more likely to interspecific mating in the absence of intraspecific males. Interspecific hybridization is an important aspect for the choice of reproduction strategy. In termites, distinct movement patterns were observed in both interspecific and intraspecific reproductive behaviours. image Parthenogenesis and interspecific mating are alternative reproductive strategies that species have evolved alternative strategies when the opportunity of sexual reproduction is hindered by the natural environment. However, it is still unclear how to make a choice between parthenogenesis and interspecific mating when females are unable to reproduce sexually with males of the same species. This study mainly investigated the reproductive behaviour of female termites in the absence of male termites of the same species. Here, reproductive behaviours of females Reticulitermes aculabialis (Ra female) were observed when they encountered a male R. flaviceps (Rf male) with the absence of male R. aculabialis(Ra male). The results showed that Ra female-Rf male tandems were more prevalent and stable compared to Ra female-Ra female tandems. When a tandem inadvertently broke apart, the female R. aculabialis displayed longer pauses while waiting for male R. flaviceps, but shorter pauses when another female R. aculabialis was involved. Furthermore, there were mating behaviour between female R. aculabialis and males R. flaviceps, resulting in offspring produced in paired Ra female-Rf male colonies were hybridization between female R. aculabialis and male R. flaviceps. These results suggest that interspecific mating and recombination is an important aspect for the choice of reproduction strategy, which will provide new insights into the trade-off between gene contribution rate and genetic diversity.