Amazon algae do not need males to reproduce

September 2 () –

Female brown algae populations They reproduce with unfertilized gametes and thrive without males, According to researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology and Kobe University

These scientists used ‘Amazon’ algae to shed light on the phenotypic and genetic consequences of the shift from sexual to asexual reproduction.

Sea populations on the coast of Japan emerged approximately one to two million years ago and later They were called “Amazons” because of their unique ability to reproduce on their own.The team compared pairs of sexual and Amazonian individuals to understand how Amazonian populations emerged and how they thrive without males.

“It is a unique opportunity to understand the molecular basis of the transition from sexual to asexual reproduction and to understand how females can live without males for millions of years,” he says. in a statement Masakazu Hoshino, the first author of the study.

The female releases gametes into the sea water.which develop into adult females identical to the parent through parthenogenesis (from the Greek “Parthenos” meaning virgin and “genesis” meaning origin). Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual. Since female gametes can undergo parthenogenesis, while male gametes normally do not, it is possible that changes in the environment, such as variations in water temperature, have caused an increase in the population of dominant females.

During the process of asexuality, the Amazons underwent surprising alterations, such as the loss of a female-specific pheromone, which attracts male gametes. The fact that the Amazons are “less feminized” implies that Feminine traits are expensive and therefore quickly lost when not needed.: Why produce a pheromone when males are no longer around? An asexual existence is more advantageous for the Amazons, as demonstrated by the evolution of novel traits such as larger gametes, which provide more resources for parthenogenetic development.

Brown algae, distant relatives of animals and plants, play a vital role in coastal areas, providing the basis for life, much like trees in a forest. This study highlights how adaptable their way of life is, allowing them to thrive in diverse environments, according to the authors.