Aug 14, 2020
Mycocepurus smithii is a unique species of fungus growing ant, found to reproduce both sexually and asexually through parthenogenesis.
A 2009 report looked for, and failed to find, any genetic signal for sexual reproduction within M. smithii.
Later in 2011 Myrmecologist Christian Rabeling conducted another study, sampling ants from a larger area. It was found that several colonies along the Amazon river in northern Brazil were sexual, though held more genetic resemblance to asexual colonies than they did to other sexual colonies.
Male specimen of this species remain unknown
[Photo by Alex Wild]