Abstract
Completely parthenogenetic Trichogramma wasps can be rendered permanently bisexual by treatment with three different antibiotics or high temperatures. The evidence strongly suggests that maternally inherited microorganisms cause parthenogenesis in these wasps. Theories predict female-biased sex ratio in offspring under the influence of maternally inherited symbionts, but extreme sex ratios of 100% females were never considered because the lack of males would prevent the host's reproduction.
Full text
PDF



Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Cosmides L. M., Tooby J. Cytoplasmic inheritance and intragenomic conflict. J Theor Biol. 1981 Mar 7;89(1):83–129. doi: 10.1016/0022-5193(81)90181-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Frank S. A. Hierarchical selection theory and sex ratios. I. General solutions for structured populations. Theor Popul Biol. 1986 Jun;29(3):312–342. doi: 10.1016/0040-5809(86)90013-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hackett K. J., Lynn D. E., Williamson D. L., Ginsberg A. S., Whitcomb R. F. Cultivation of the Drosophila sex-ratio spiroplasma. Science. 1986 Jun 6;232(4755):1253–1255. doi: 10.1126/science.232.4755.1253. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Nunney L., Luck R. F. Factors influencing the optimum sex ratio in a structured population. Theor Popul Biol. 1988 Feb;33(1):1–30. doi: 10.1016/0040-5809(88)90002-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Peleg B., Norris D. M. Bacterial symbiote activation of insect parthenogenetic reproduction. Nat New Biol. 1972 Mar 29;236(65):111–112. doi: 10.1038/newbio236111a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Somerson N. L., Ehrman L., Kocka J. P., Gottlieb F. J. Streptococcal L-forms isolated from Drosophila paulistorum semispecies cause sterility in male progeny. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1984 Jan;81(1):282–285. doi: 10.1073/pnas.81.1.282. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WILSON F., WOOLCOCK L. T. Environmental determination of sex in a parthenogenetic parasite. Nature. 1960 Apr 2;186:99–100. doi: 10.1038/186099a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Werren J. H., Skinner S. W., Huger A. M. Male-killing bacteria in a parasitic wasp. Science. 1986 Feb 28;231(4741):990–992. doi: 10.1126/science.3945814. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]