European Ant Clones Members of Another Species: A Reproductive Biology Breakthrough Key Finding A species of ant in southern Europe, the Iberian harvester ant (Messor ibericus), is the first known animal to clone males from an entirely different species, Messor structor. This challenges existing understanding of species barriers and reproductive biology. Background Messor ibericus colonies consist of hybrid workers. Queens must mate with males of the distantly related Messor structor species to maintain colony function. However, some populations of M. ibericus were found without nearby M. structor colonies, presenting a paradox. Research and Discovery Researchers collected 132 male ants from 26 colonies: 58 males were hairy, identified as M. ibericus. 74 males were hairless, identified as M. structor. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing showed hairless M. structor males shared the same maternal lineage as M. ibericus males, proving they originated from M. ibericus queens. Controlled lab observation confirmed a single queen producing males of both species over 18 months. Implications Queens of M. ibericus clone M. structor males without transmitting their own nuclear DNA. This finding introduces a novel reproductive system termed xenoparity ("birth of a different species"). Researchers believe this system emerged between 5 million and a few thousand years ago since the two species diverged. Eusocial Ant Biology Context Ants are eusocial insects with cooperative colonies dominated by infertile female workers and fertile queens. Queens typically mate only once, storing sperm used to produce queens, workers, or males. Messor ibericus queens mating with conspecific males only produce new queens, influenced by "selfish queen genes" favoring fertile queens over workers. Workers must be produced from sperm of M. structor males, explaining the requirement for hybrid workers. Broader Significance Evolutionary biologists view this discovery as an anomaly breaking the "firm species boundary" concept. Opens new questions about cooperation, conflict, and dependency in nature. Suggests reevaluation of puzzling previous data through the lens of xenoparity and interspecies cloning. Visuals Images show winged males of M. ibericus and M. structor with distinct hair traits. Genetic analysis illustrated by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA patterns confirming species origin. Related Research The article references related topics including: Single bee cloning army. Ant queen longevity mechanisms. Parasitic "wannabe" ant queens. Other recent discoveries in ant and animal evolution. Author and Publication Written by Sophie Berdugo, evolutionary anthropology PhD and science journalist. Published September 12, 2025, on Live Science. Research published in Nature journal (link provided). --- This discovery marks a paradigm shift in understanding animal reproduction and evolutionary biology, revealing a complex reproductive strategy where one species clones members of another, defying long-held biological rules.