A World Without Men? - Ants Lead the Way

Galvasean · 21-04-2009 05:09PM #1

I taught this might give some of you a good laugh.

Save the males? Too late for Mycocepurus smithii.

This leaf-cutter ant species is all female and thrives without sex of any kind—ever—according to a new study. The ants have evolved to reproduce only when queens clone themselves.
"They appear to have evolved a new mode of reproduction, and the genetic mechanisms have yet to be worked out," said lead study author Anna Himler, a research associate at the University of Arizona.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/04/090417-female-ants-picture.html

Interesting way of life. How would you all feel if humankind were to go down this route?

21-04-2009 05:16PM

Surely it's an all-asexual species rather than an all-female species?

Jules · 21-04-2009 06:05PM

Tbh, a world without would be extrememly boring and i think visa versa!

Galvasean · 21-04-2009 06:23PM

994 wrote: »

Surely it's an all-asexual species rather than an all-female species?

They still have vestigial female reproductive organs. However it's not certain if they would be ale to work anymore.

Acacia · 21-04-2009 06:37PM

God, I would hate that, how dull. I love men (see my heavy posting on the male form and strangely attractive threads!:pac:), it really would be quite crap without them. I'd rather have a baby than a clone of myself in fairness. Though I suppose we have an emotional side that the female ants probably don't miss or have any need for!

minidazzler · 21-04-2009 06:46PM

I agree with Jules, both genders compliment eachother. Each would be crap without the other.

Now a world where I was the ONLY male..............

LouOB · 22-04-2009 10:58AM

If it was all female - would we still need to get periods
mmmmmmmmmmmm

This could change alot of things

A World Without Men? - Ants Lead the Way

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