We have estimated phylogenies of fungus-growing termites and their associated mutualistic
fungi of the genus Termitomyces using Bayesian analyses of DNA sequences. Our study …

Variation in paternity frequency in colonies of eusocial insects has profound effects on the
relatedness among offspring and on the genetic diversity of colonies. Data on queen ‘mating-…

All evidence currently available indicates that obligatory sterile eusocial castes only arose
via the association of lifetime monogamous parents and offspring. This is consistent with …

Ants have evolved very complex societies and are key ecosystem members. Some ants, such
as the fire ant Solenopsis invicta, are also major pests. Here, we present a draft genome of …

Attine ants engage in a quadripartite symbiosis with fungi they cultivate for food, specialized
garden parasites, and parasite-inhibiting bacteria. Molecular phylogenetic evidence …

▪ Abstract Pair formation in social insects mostly happens early in adult life and away from the
social colony context, which precludes promiscuity in the usual sense. Termite males have …

… Thomsen, J. Eilenberg and JJ Boomsma, unpublished data). Leaf-cutting ants are thought
… with their body size, supports this (Bot & Boomsma 1996). We therefore compare both the …

Multiple mating by females (polyandry) remains hard to explain because, while it has substantial
costs, clear benefits have remained elusive. The problem is acute in the social insects …

Background Parasites that manipulate host behavior can provide prominent examples of
extended phenotypes: parasite genomes controlling host behavior. Here we focus on one of …

Specialized parasites are expected to express complex adaptations to their hosts.
Manipulation of host behavior is such an adaptation. We studied the fungus Ophiocordyceps …