Ergatandromorph

/ˌɜrɡətˈændrəˌmɔrf/ noun

Definition

An individual organism, particularly an insect, that shows characteristics of both worker and male forms.

Etymology

From Greek 'ergates' (worker) plus 'andro' (male) plus 'morph' (form), literally 'worker-male-form.' The term describes the biological phenomenon of mixing characteristics from two distinct castes.

Kelly Says

In ants and bees, finding an ergatandromorph—an individual with both worker features and male reproductive organs—is extremely rare and usually indicates a developmental error, but it provides scientists insight into how genetics controls caste determination.

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