Myrmecol. News 31: 61-69
- DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.25849/myrmecol.news_031:061
- Open Access: CC BY 4.0
- Year: 2021
- Title: Queen and worker phenotypic traits are associated with colony composition and environment in Temnothorax rugatulus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), an ant with alternative reproductive strategies
- Journal: Myrmecological News
- Volume: 31
- Pages: 61-69
- Type of contribution: Original Article
- Supplementary material: Yes
- Abstract: Alternative reproductive strategies are often associated with distinct morphological phenotypes. Some ant species display two queen morphs: larger queens (macrogynes) conduct mating flights followed by independent colony foundation, whereas smaller queens (microgynes) are readopted by their mother colony. In some cases, microgynes can evolve into social parasites that seek adoption into non-natal colonies. Here, we used morphometric measurements, behavioral experiments, chemistry, and demographic analyses to characterize queen alternative reproductive strategies in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus (Emery, 1895) and question whether there is evidence for the evolution of social parasitism in microgynes. We show that body size is differently affected by colony composition in the two queen morphs. Interestingly, worker body size is also influenced by queen morph and colony composition, and the smallest workers are found in colonies with a single microgyne. Colony composition changes across collection sites, and colonies with microgynes are more frequent at higher elevations, suggesting that alternative reproductive strategies might be primarily associated with environmental conditions in this species. Behavioral experiments revealed a similar, low likelihood of both morphs to be accepted by non-natal colonies, which is consistent with microgynes being a non-parasitic, reproductive morph. This finding is corroborated by similar chemical profiles between queen morphs, which are again rather influenced by colony composition. Our study highlights the association between colony composition, environmental factors, and queen dimorphism, giving more insights into the evolution of alternative reproductive strategies in ants.
- Key words: Alternative reproductive strategies, queen dimorphism, morphometry, behavior, cuticular hydrocarbons, social insects.
- Publisher: The Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics
- ISSN: 1997-3500
Myrmecol. News 31: 61-69, Supplement
- DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.25849/myrmecol.news_031:061
- Open Access: CC BY 4.0
- Year: 2021
- Title: Queen and worker phenotypic traits are associated with colony composition and environment in Temnothorax rugatulus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), an ant with alternative reproductive strategies
- Journal: Myrmecological News
- Volume: 31
- Pages: 61-69
- Type of contribution: Original Article
- Supplementary material: Yes
- Abstract: Alternative reproductive strategies are often associated with distinct morphological phenotypes. Some ant species display two queen morphs: larger queens (macrogynes) conduct mating flights followed by independent colony foundation, whereas smaller queens (microgynes) are readopted by their mother colony. In some cases, microgynes can evolve into social parasites that seek adoption into non-natal colonies. Here, we used morphometric measurements, behavioral experiments, chemistry, and demographic analyses to characterize queen alternative reproductive strategies in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus (Emery, 1895) and question whether there is evidence for the evolution of social parasitism in microgynes. We show that body size is differently affected by colony composition in the two queen morphs. Interestingly, worker body size is also influenced by queen morph and colony composition, and the smallest workers are found in colonies with a single microgyne. Colony composition changes across collection sites, and colonies with microgynes are more frequent at higher elevations, suggesting that alternative reproductive strategies might be primarily associated with environmental conditions in this species. Behavioral experiments revealed a similar, low likelihood of both morphs to be accepted by non-natal colonies, which is consistent with microgynes being a non-parasitic, reproductive morph. This finding is corroborated by similar chemical profiles between queen morphs, which are again rather influenced by colony composition. Our study highlights the association between colony composition, environmental factors, and queen dimorphism, giving more insights into the evolution of alternative reproductive strategies in ants.
- Key words: Alternative reproductive strategies, queen dimorphism, morphometry, behavior, cuticular hydrocarbons, social insects.
- Publisher: The Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics
- ISSN: 1997-3500