Multiple reciprocal chromosomal translocations and their role in the evolution of sociality in termites

Abstract

Permanent sex-linked translocation heterozygosity is a common feature in many species of termites. It has been suggested that this phenomenon, maintained by a multiple sex-determining chromosome mechanism, may have favoured the evolution of eusociality among this group of insects. In this review we discuss this interpretation and suggest that the translocations may be attributed mainly to the high degree of inbreeding characterizing many species of termites, especially the Italian populations of Reticulitermes lucifugus.

KEY WORDS:

• sociobiology
• interchange
• sex chromosome