Apomixis, asexual or clonal seed production in plants, can decrease the cost of producing hybrid seed and enable currently open pollinated crops to be converted to more vigorous and higher yielding hybrids that can reproduce themselves through their own seed. Sexual reproduction may be triggered by a programmed stress signaling event that occurs in both the meiocyte, just prior to meiosis, and later in the egg just prior to embryo sac maturation. The prevention of stress signaling and the activation of a pro-growth signal prior to meiosis triggered apomeiosis, the first half of apomixis. The same approach was used prior to embryo sac maturation to trigger parthenogenesis, the second half of apomixis. This discovery suggests that apomixis exists as a program that can be activated by the appropriate metabolic signal at the appropriate developmental stages. Therefore, apomixis may be alternative mode of reproduction rather a ‘broken’ form of sexual reproduction.

The general prevalence of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction among metazoans testifies to the evolutionary, long-term benefits of genetic recombination. Despite the benefits of genetic recombination under sexual reproduction, asexual organisms sporadically occur throughout the tree of life, and a few asexual lineages persisted over significant evolutionary time without apparent recombination. The study of asexual organisms therefore may provide clues to answer why almost all eukaryotes reproduce via meiosis and syngamy and why asexual eukaryotes are almost always evolutionarily short-lived. Towards understanding the evolution of asexual lineages in the Hymenoptera, I first review the diversity of reproductive systems in the Hymenoptera, introduce the study organism, the fungus-gardening ant Mycocepurus smithii, and discuss my research objectives. Second, I integrate information from reproductive physiology, reproductive morphology, natural history and behavior, to document that that queens of M. smithii are capable of thelytokous parthenogenesis, workers are sterile, and males are absent from the surveyed population. These results suggest that M. smithii might be obligately asexual. To place the origin and maintenance of asexual reproduction in M. smithii in an evolutionary context, I use molecular phylogenetic and population-genetic methods to (i) test if M. smithii reproduces asexually throughout its distribution range; (ii) infer if asexuality evolved once or multiple times; (iii) date the origin of asexual reproduction in M. smithii; and (iv) elucidate the cytogenetic mechanism of thelytokous parthenogenesis. During field collecting for these studies throughout the Neotropics, I discovered a new species of obligate social parasite in the genus Mycocepurus. Social parasites are of great interest to evolutionary biology in order to elucidate mechanisms demonstrating how parasites gained reproductive isolation from their host species in sympatry. I describe this new parasite species, characterize its morphological and behavioral adaptations to the parasitic lifestyle, and discuss the parasite’s life history evolution in the context of social parasitism in fungus-growing ants. The dissertation research integrates population-genetic, phylogenetic, physiological and morphological approaches to advance our understanding of the evolution of reproductive systems and diversity of life-history traits in animals. / text

Stress can be a driving force for new evolutionary changes leading to local adaptation, or may be responded to with pre-existing, ancestral tolerance mechanisms. Using brachionid rotifers (microzooplankton) as a study system, I demonstrate roles of both conserved physiological mechanisms (heat shock protein induction) and rapid evolution of traits in response to ecologically relevant stressors such as temperature and hydroperiod. Rapid evolution of higher levels of sex and dormancy in cultures mimicking temporary waters represents an eco-evolutionary dynamic, with trait evolution feeding back into effects on ecology (i.e., reduced population growth). I also reveal that prolonged culture in a benign laboratory environment leads to evolution of increased lifespan and fecundity, perhaps due to reduction of extrinsic mortality factors. Potential mechanisms (e.g., hormonal signals) are suggested that may control evolvability of facets of the stress response. Due to prior studies suggesting a role of progesterone signaling in rotifer sex and dormancy, the membrane associated progesterone receptor is assayed as a candidate gene that could show positive selection indicating rapid divergence. Despite some sequence variation that may contribute to functional differences among species, results indicate this hormone receptor is under purifying selection. Detailed analyses of multiple stress responses and their evolution as performed here will be imperative to understanding current patterns of local adaptation and trait-environment correlations. Such research also is key to predicting persistence of species upon introduction to novel habitats and exposure to new stressors (e.g., warming due to climate change). Perhaps one of the most intriguing results of this dissertation is the rapid, adaptive change in levels of sex and dormancy in a metazoan through new mutations or re-arrangements of the genetic material. This suggests species may be able to rapidly evolve tolerance of new stressors, even if standing genetic variation does not currently encompass the suite of alleles necessary for survival.

No description available.

Orientador: Fernanda C. Landim Alvarenga / Banca: Maria Denise Lopes / Banca: Mayra Elena Ortiz D'Avila Assumpção / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi aprimorar os protocolos de produção in vitro de embriões e de ativação partenogenética visando o isolamento e o cultivo de células tronco embrionárias felinas. Os CCOs-I foram obtidos a partir de ovários de gatas adultas e maturados in vitro. No experimento I, os CCOS foram fecundados e os embriões cultivados nos meios SOFaa e FOC. Foram comparadas as taxas de clivagem e a produção de blastocistos. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio da análise de variância e a viabilidade embrionária foi avaliada por sondas fluorescentes (Hoechst e iodeto de propídio). Não houve diferenças significativas entre os meios de cultivo, os quais apresentaram taxas de clivagem de 50,5±9,47 e 63,75±5,9 (P>0,05) e de produção de blastocistos em relação ao total de oócitos fecundados de 18±5,07 e 33,2±3,71 (P>0,05) para FOC e SOF respectivamente. No experimento II, os CCOs maturos foram submetidos a três diferentes protocolos de ativação partenogenética: 1-ionomicina associada ao cicloheximide; 2-ionomicina associada ao roscovitine e 3-ionomicina associada ao estrôncio, os quais foram comparados entre si e ao controle quanto às taxas de ativação, clivagem e desenvolvimento embrionário, sendo cultivados em SOFaa por 72 horas após a ativação. Para tais avaliações, oócitos e embriões foram corados com Hoechst 33342 e examinados em microscópio invertido. Como análise estatística foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos quanto à taxa de oócitos ativados (69,9%, 76,6% e 64,6%, para tratamento 1, 2 e 3 respectivamente) (P>0,05) nem quanto às taxas de clivagem (46,6%, 46,73% e 32,32%, para tratamento 1, 2 e 3 respectivamente) (P>0,05), mas sim entre estes e o controle (36% e 12%, respectivamente, para taxa de oócitos ativados e taxas de clivagem) (P<0,05). Quanto ao desenvolvimento... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this study was to improve the existent protocols for in vitro embryos production and parthenogenetic activation in cats, aiming the isolation and culture of feline embryonic stem cells. COCs-I were collected from adult queens's ovaries and matured in vitro. In the experiment I, COCs were fertilized and embryos cultured in two culture media, SOFaa and FOC. In both media the cleavage rate and blastocysts production were compared. Fluorescents probes (Hoechst and propidium iodide) were utilized to estimate embryo viability. The statistical analysis was realized through the ANOVA. No statistical difference was observed between culture media. The cleavage rates considering the total number of fertilized oocytes were 50.5±9.47 and 63.75±5.9 (P>0.05) for FOC and SOF medium respectively. Similarly, the blastocysts production rates were 18±5.07 and 33.2±3.71 (P>0.05) for FOC and SOF, respectively. In experiment II matured COCs were submitted to three parthenogenetic activation protocols: 1- ionomycin associated to cycloheximide; 2 - ionomycin associated to roscovitine; 3 - ionomycin associated to strontium. The treatments were compared among themselves and among them and the control concerning chromatin decondensation, cleavage and embryo development rates. The parthenogenetic embryos were then cultured in SOFaa during 72 hours. To estimate chromatin status and number of nuclei, oocytes and embryos were stained with Hoechst 33342 and examined under an inverted fluorescent microscope. As statistical analyses chi-square test was utilized. No statistical difference was observed among treatments concerning activated oocytes rates (69.9%, 76.6% e 64.6%, respectively, for treatment 1, 2 and 3) (P>0.05) neither cleavage rates (46.6%, 46.73% e 32.32%, respectively, for treatment 1, treatment 1, 2, 3) (P>0.05). However, statistical difference was observed among treatments and... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-07-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:16:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rascado_ts_me_botfmvz.pdf: 550386 bytes, checksum: 2b1967d2846b363e04547e6d5a1ff2fb (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O objetivo deste estudo foi aprimorar os protocolos de produção in vitro de embriões e de ativação partenogenética visando o isolamento e o cultivo de células tronco embrionárias felinas. Os CCOs-I foram obtidos a partir de ovários de gatas adultas e maturados in vitro. No experimento I, os CCOS foram fecundados e os embriões cultivados nos meios SOFaa e FOC. Foram comparadas as taxas de clivagem e a produção de blastocistos. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio da análise de variância e a viabilidade embrionária foi avaliada por sondas fluorescentes (Hoechst e iodeto de propídio). Não houve diferenças significativas entre os meios de cultivo, os quais apresentaram taxas de clivagem de 50,5±9,47 e 63,75±5,9 (P>0,05) e de produção de blastocistos em relação ao total de oócitos fecundados de 18±5,07 e 33,2±3,71 (P>0,05) para FOC e SOF respectivamente. No experimento II, os CCOs maturos foram submetidos a três diferentes protocolos de ativação partenogenética: 1-ionomicina associada ao cicloheximide; 2-ionomicina associada ao roscovitine e 3-ionomicina associada ao estrôncio, os quais foram comparados entre si e ao controle quanto às taxas de ativação, clivagem e desenvolvimento embrionário, sendo cultivados em SOFaa por 72 horas após a ativação. Para tais avaliações, oócitos e embriões foram corados com Hoechst 33342 e examinados em microscópio invertido. Como análise estatística foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos quanto à taxa de oócitos ativados (69,9%, 76,6% e 64,6%, para tratamento 1, 2 e 3 respectivamente) (P>0,05) nem quanto às taxas de clivagem (46,6%, 46,73% e 32,32%, para tratamento 1, 2 e 3 respectivamente) (P>0,05), mas sim entre estes e o controle (36% e 12%, respectivamente, para taxa de oócitos ativados e taxas de clivagem) (P<0,05). Quanto ao desenvolvimento... / The objective of this study was to improve the existent protocols for in vitro embryos production and parthenogenetic activation in cats, aiming the isolation and culture of feline embryonic stem cells. COCs-I were collected from adult queens´s ovaries and matured in vitro. In the experiment I, COCs were fertilized and embryos cultured in two culture media, SOFaa and FOC. In both media the cleavage rate and blastocysts production were compared. Fluorescents probes (Hoechst and propidium iodide) were utilized to estimate embryo viability. The statistical analysis was realized through the ANOVA. No statistical difference was observed between culture media. The cleavage rates considering the total number of fertilized oocytes were 50.5±9.47 and 63.75±5.9 (P>0.05) for FOC and SOF medium respectively. Similarly, the blastocysts production rates were 18±5.07 and 33.2±3.71 (P>0.05) for FOC and SOF, respectively. In experiment II matured COCs were submitted to three parthenogenetic activation protocols: 1- ionomycin associated to cycloheximide; 2 – ionomycin associated to roscovitine; 3 – ionomycin associated to strontium. The treatments were compared among themselves and among them and the control concerning chromatin decondensation, cleavage and embryo development rates. The parthenogenetic embryos were then cultured in SOFaa during 72 hours. To estimate chromatin status and number of nuclei, oocytes and embryos were stained with Hoechst 33342 and examined under an inverted fluorescent microscope. As statistical analyses chi-square test was utilized. No statistical difference was observed among treatments concerning activated oocytes rates (69.9%, 76.6% e 64.6%, respectively, for treatment 1, 2 and 3) (P>0.05) neither cleavage rates (46.6%, 46.73% e 32.32%, respectively, for treatment 1, treatment 1, 2, 3) (P>0.05). However, statistical difference was observed among treatments and... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

As taxas de produção embrionária tanto da FIV (30-40%) como da TN (23%) ainda estão aquém do esperado. Desta forma, a pré-maturação com inibidores do ciclo celular é uma das alternativas que vem sendo estudada para aumentar a competência dos oócitos utilizados na PIV, na tentativa de otimizar o sucesso das biotécnicas. Sabe-se que neurotrofinas desempenham funções no sistema reprodutor. O BDNF é um exemplo de neurotrofina que parece estar relacionada com a maturação dos oócitos. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi de aperfeiçoar a pré-maturação e a maturação in vitro de oócitos bovinos submetidos posteriormente à ativação partenogenética, visando seu uso na biotécnica de transferência de núcleo. Oócitos bovinos foram submetidos à maturação na presença (MIV/BD) ou ausência (MIV) de BDNF ou pré-maturados com BLI e suplementados (BL/BD) ou não (BL) com a neurotrofina. Posteriormente foram avaliados quanto à taxa de maturação (metáfase II), ativação (formação de prónúcleo) e desenvolvimento embrionário (produção e qualidade dos blastocistos). Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre taxas de MII após a maturação com ou sem BDNF. Porém, o grupo pré-maturado e suplementado (BL/BD n=73; 91,2%) apresentou maior taxa de MII (P<0,05) em relação ao grupo não suplementado (BL n=66; 76,7%). Oócitos maturados nas mesmas condições foram ativados quimicamente para análise do desenvolvimento embrionário. Os grupos MIV/BD (n=30; 71,4%) e MIV (n=41; 91.1%) apresentaram diferença (P<0,05) em relação à taxa de ativação. Porém, não foi observada diferença quanto aos outros parâmetros do desenvolvimento. Quando os oócitos foram pré-maturados a taxa de clivagem do grupo suplementado (BL/BD: n=227; 65,2%) foi superior (P<0,05) ao grupo não suplementado (BL: n=187; 57,7%), mas não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) para os outros parâmetros de desenvolvimento. A qualidade dos embriões ativados também não foi afetada pelos tratamentos. Os grupos submetidos à TN (MIV e BL/BD) apresentaram diferenças (P<0,05) para extrusão do 1°CP (n=639; 63,5% e n=693; 69,5%, respectivamente) e para taxa de fusão (n=345; 72,9% e n=397; 79,2%, respectivamente) não havendo diferença para nenhum outro parâmetro avaliado. A qualidade dos embriões clonados também foi avaliada e não foi observada diferença. Após a transferência dos embriões dos grupos MIV (n=28) e BL/BD (n=26) para as receptoras, os grupos foram capazes de produzir gestação avançadas (10,7 e 11,5%, respectivamente) de forma similar (P>0,05). Com base nestes resultados podemos concluir que a suplementação, tanto da maturação como a pré-maturação não causa prejuízo no posterior desenvolvimento embrionário. Ainda, embriões clonados produzidos a partir de oócitos bloqueados são capazes de estabelecer gestações avançadas em bovinos. / Embryo production rates obtained from both IVF (30-40%) and NT (23%) are still below the expected values. Therefore, oocyte pre-maturation using cell cycle inhibitors is one of the alternatives which has been studied to increase the competence of oocytes used for IVP, as an attempt to optimize the success rates of these biotechniques. Neurotrophins are known to play several roles in the reproductive system. BDNF is an example of a neurotrophin that seems to be related to oocyte maturation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to improve techniques of pre-maturation and maturation of bovine oocytes submitted to parthenogenetic activation, aiming for its use on cloning by nuclear transfer. Bovine oocytes were submitted to maturation either in presence (IVM/BD) or absence (IVM) of BDNF or pre-matured with BLI and supplemented (BL/BD) or not (BL) with the neurotrophin. Groups were evaluated for maturation rates (metaphase II), activation (pro-nucleus formation) and embryo development (blastocyst formation rate and quality). There was no difference (P>0.05) in MII rate after the maturation with or without BDNF. However, pre-maturation in the supplemented group (BL/BD, n=73; 91.2%) resulted in higher MII rate (P<0.05) when compared with the nonsupplemented group (BL, n=66; 76.7%). Oocytes which were matured under the same conditions were also activated chemically for embryonic development analysis. Activation rates were different (P<0.05) from IVM/BD groups (n=30; 71.4%) and IVM (n=41; 91.1%). However, no difference were observed for development parameters. When the oocytes were prematured, cleavage rates in the supplemented group were superior (P<0.05) than non supplemented group (BL/BD: n=227; 65.2%) and (BL: n=187; 57.7%), but no difference was observed for other developmental parameters. Embryo quality was also evaluated and no difference was observed between treatments. Groups submitted to NT (IVM and BL/BD) differed regarding (P<0.05) the 1stPB extrusion (n=639; 63.5% and n=693; 69.5%, respectively) and fusion rate (n=345; 72.9% and n=397; 79.2%, respectively), but did not present differences for other evaluated parameters. Embryo quality was evaluated again and no differences were observed. After the embryos were transferred to recipient cows, groups IVM (n=3; 10.7%) and BL/BD (n=3; 11.5%) were capable of producing advanced gestations at similar rates (P>0.05). Based on these results, it may be concluded that supplementation of both maturation and pre-maturation does not impair embryonic development. Additionally, cloned embryos produced from blocked oocytes are able to establish advanced gestation in cattle.

Tendo em vista a possibilidade da associação de agentes ativadores aliada à influência da idade do oócito no desenvolvimento embrionário, a proposta deste trabalho foi estudar a relação entre o envelhecimento do oócito e a ativação partenogenética. Para tal, oócitos bovinos foram maturados in vitro por um período de 22 h (jovens) e 28 h (envelhecidos). Em seguida, os dois grupos de oócitos foram ativados com os tratamentos: ID3: ionomicina (5 µM por 5 min) + 6DMAP (2 mM por 3 h de incubação); ID6: ionomicina (5 µM por 5 min) + 6DMAP (2 mM por 6 h de incubação); IDS: ionomicina + associação 6DMAP (2 mM) e estrôncio (20 mM; SrCl2) por 6 h e IDSS: ionomicina + (6DMAP+Sr) nas primeiras 3 h, seguido de lavagem e incubação com estrôncio (Sr2+) isoladamente por mais 3 h de incubação. O grupo controle foi cultivado na ausência de qualquer agente ativador (ativação espontânea). Após a ativação os oócitos foram avaliados quanto a: 1) taxa de ativação (formação de pronúcleo às 12 hpa); 2) atividade do fator promotor de maturação (MPF) e proteína cinase ativada por mitógeno (MAPK) nos intervalos de 5 min, 3 h, 6 h e 10 h; 3) desenvolvimento embrionário (taxa de clivagem às 48 h, dia 7 e 9 taxas de blastocisto e eclosão); 4) qualidade dos embriões (dia 9 pelo número total de células, apoptose e expressão de interferon-t). Em geral, oócitos jovens apresentaram menor taxa de ativação e maior atividade de MPF e MAPK em relação aos envelhecidos. No entanto, a incubação dos oócitos em 6DMAP por 6 h permitiu taxas semelhantes aos envelhecidos com pequeno prejuízo em número de células, sem efeitos em outros critérios de qualidade do embrião. Os dados sugerem possíveis aplicações destes resultados de maneira a contribuir para a TN com flexibilidade de horários e produção de embriões de boa qualidade. / Considering the possibility of the combination of different activating agents associated to the influence of oocyte ageing on embryo development, the purpose of this work to study the relationship between oocyte ageing and parthenogenetic activation. Bovine oocytes were in vitro maturated for 22 (young) and 28 h (aged). Next, both groups of oocytes were activated using the following treatments: ID3: ionomycin (5 µM for 5 min) + 6DMAP (2 mM for 3 h); ID6: ionomycin (5 µM for 5 min) + 6DMAP (2 mM for 6 h); IDS: ionomicyn + 6DMAP (2 mM) and strontium (20 mM; SrCl2) for 6 h and IDSS: ionomicyn + (6DMAP+Sr2+) for the first 3h, followed by incubation with Sr2+ alone for another 3 h. The control group was cultured in the absence of any activating agents (spontaneous activation). After activation, the oocytes were evaluated for: 1) activation rate (pronuclei formation at 12 hpa); 2) activity of maturation promoting factor (MPF) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) at 5 min, 3 h, 6 h and 10 hpa; 3) embryo development (cleavage rate at 48 h and blastocyst and hatching rates on days 7 and 9); 4) embryo quality (day 9 regarding total cell numbers, apoptosis and interferon-t expression). In general, young oocytes showed lower activation rates and higher MPF and MAPK activity when compared with aged oocytes. However, incubation of the oocytes with 6DMAP for 6 h allowed development rates similar to aged oocytes with a small decrease in total cell number, but without effects on other criteria of embryo quality. The data suggest a possible application of these results in such a way to contribute for timing flexibilization in NT experiments and production of good quality embryos.

La sélection de la parentèle est le concept actuellement le plus fréquemment avancé pour justifier l’évolution et le maintien d'une caste ouvrière stérile chez les Hyménoptères sociaux. La fourmi méditerranéenne Cataglyphis cursor possède plusieurs traits biologiques qui font de cette espèce un modèle particulièrement intéressant pour tester les prédictions de la théorie de la sélection de la parentèle, le plus important d'entre eux étant la capacité des ouvrières, qui ne s'accouplent jamais, à produire une descendance mâle (haploïde) par parthénogenèse arrhénotoque, ou femelle (diploïde) par parthénogenèse thélytoque. Nos analyses génétiques, basées sur des marqueurs microsatellites développés au préalable pour cette espèce, ont révélé que les reines utilisent la reproduction sexuée et asexuée respectivement pour la production de la caste ouvrière et reproductrice. L'analyse du pedigree des reproductrices issues de la reproduction asexuée nous a permis d'identifier le mécanisme cytologique de la parthénogenèse thélytoque et d'estimer la proportion de reines issues de la reproduction des ouvrières au sein de la population. De plus, bien que les reines soient capables de produire une descendance diploïde (femelle) par parthénogenèse thélytoque, elles ont conservé la reproduction sexuée pour la caste ouvrière et s'accouplent avec plusieurs mâles. Ceci indique que la reproduction sexuée a une fonction importante au niveau de la colonie, et nous avons testé certaines des hypothèses avancées pour justifier l'évolution de la polyandrie. Finalement, nous avons étudié l'impact des stratégies de dispersion de cette espèce sur le sex-ratio de la descendance sexuée. Ces résultats confirment l'intérêt que représente l'étude des stratégies reproductrices chez les Hyménoptères sociaux pour tester les prédiction de diverses théories en biologie évolutives et ouvrent également de nouvelles perspectives de recherche, tant chez C. cursor que chez d'autres espèces appartenant au genre Cataglyphis. / Kin selection is, to date, the most widely accepted theory to justify the evolution of a sterile worker caste among social Hymenoptera. The Mediterranean ant Cataglyphis cursor represents an interesting biological model for several reasons, the most important of them being the ability for unmated workers to produce haploid (male) offspring, through arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, and diploid (female) offspring, through thelytokous parthenogenesis. Our genetic analyses, based on microsatellite loci developed for this purpose, revealed that queens selectively use sexual and asexual reproduction to produce workers and sexuals, respectively. Pedigree analyses allowed us to identify the cytological mechanism involved in thelytokous parthenogenesis and to estimate the proportion of worker-produced queens in the study population. Although C. cursor queens do not require mating to produce diploid offspring, they have retained sexual reproduction and mate multiply with up to 8 males. This suggests that sexual reproduction has important benefits for colony function, and we tested several hypotheses accounting for the evolution of polyandry. Eventually, we studied the effect of dispersal strategies on sex-ratio of the sexual brood. These results confirm the interest of investigating the reproductive strategies of social Hymenoptera to test the predictions of diverse theories in the field of evolutionary biology, and open new research perspectives in C. cursor and other ants of the Cataglyphis genera. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Cette thèse vise à améliorer notre connaissance des processus évolutifs et écologiques liés aux invasions biologiques au travers de l'étude de populations envahissantes et non envahissantes de la petite fourmi de feu, Wasmannia auropunctata. Cette espèce présente un polymorphisme du système de reproduction original. Dans les populations ancestrales, les reines et les mâles se reproduisent selon le mode de reproduction sexué classique des hyménoptères (haplo-diploïde). Dans d'autres populations, les reines sont parthénogénétiques et les mâles sont produits de manière clonale via les œufs pondus par la reine. Ces reines et ces mâles produisent néanmoins des ouvrières stériles sexuellement. Ce mode de reproduction clonal semble associé indirectement au succès d'invasion des populations. Dans un premier temps nous avons identifié les mécanismes sous-jacents au système de reproduction des populations clonales. Nos résultats montrent que les reines utilisent la parthénogenèse automictique associée à une réduction du taux de recombinaison pour la production de reines, l'androgenèse pour la production des mâles et la reproduction sexuée pour la production d'ouvrières stériles. La fixation des génomes parentaux dans les descendances successives permet la reproduction entre individus d'une même cohorte en évitant la dépression de consanguinité dans la descendance ouvrière. Nous avons ensuite montré que le changement de système de reproduction de la sexualité vers la clonalité est associé à un changement adaptatif permettant aux ouvrières des populations clonales de mieux tolérer les températures stressantes caractéristiques des localités envahies, comparativement aux ouvrières des populations sexuées ancestrales. Enfin, l'utilisation d'une approche multidisciplinaire couplant des modèles de distribution d'espèces, des analyses de génétique des populations et des expériences en laboratoire, nous a permis de montrer que les changements évolutifs clefs associés au succès d'invasion des populations, ont lieu dans des habitats marginaux de l'aire native, avant la dispersion vers des localités distantes caractérisées par des conditions environnementales similaires. / The main goal of this thesis is to provide new insights on the evolutionary processes associated to biological invasions through the study of invasive and non-invasive populations of the little fire ant, W. auropunctata. This species is characterised by an eccentric breeding system polymorphism. In ancestral populations, queens and males reproduce following the classical sexual reproduction system of hymenopteran species (haplo-diploid). In some other populations, queens reproduce by parthenogenesis and the males are reproduced clonally through queens' eggs. These clonal queens and males nevertheless produce sterile workers sexually. Interestingly this clonal reproduction seems indirectly associated with the invasive success of populations. In this study, we first identified the mechanisms underlying the breeding system of clonal populations. Our results indicate that queens use automictic parthenogenesis associated with a drastic reduction of meiotic recombination rate, androgenesis and sexual reproduction for the production of queens, males, and sterile workers respectively. The fixation of parental genomes in the successive generations allows individuals from the same cohort to reproduce together avoiding inbreeding depression in their worker offspring. We also found that the change of breeding system from sexuality to clonality is associated with an adaptive change that allow workers from clonal populations to better tolerate the stressing temperatures of invaded areas better than workers from ancestral sexual populations. Finally, we used a developed mutlidisciplinary approach combining niche modelling, genetic analyses and laboratory experiments, and found that the above evolutionary changes occur within the native range in marginal habitats prior to long-distance dispersal events into localities that display similar environmental conditions.