Parthenogenesis in the neotropical katydid Conocephalus ictus

Parthenogenesis is a widespread reproductive strategy in insects with significant implications in the field of evolutionary biology. Nonetheless, the incidence of parthenogenesis in katydids remains low. Our findings in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico indicate that small proportion of females of Conocephalus ictus are tychoparthenogenetical, marking the first report of a tropical parthenogenetic katydid. Contrary to expectation, parthenogenesis does not appear adaptive for C. ictus females. Wingless parthenogenetic females outnumber their winged counterparts and exhibit larger size. In addition, parthenogenetic females have lower clutch size, hatching success, and offspring reaching adulthood compared to sexual females. The geographical distribution of parthenogenesis has been linked to ice-covered areas during glaciation periods, and the orography of Mexico suggests a potential link between the evolution of parthenogenesis in C. ictus and the ability to disperse effectively and colonize new environments of the parthenogenetic winged females during interglacial periods. Given its distribution, C. ictus offers a valuable model for understanding the impact of climatic factors on the evolutionary trajectory of parthenogenetic organisms in the tropics. Further research on C. ictus and its response to past climatic shifts can provide insights into the adaptive significance of parthenogenesis in evolutionary biology.