Work

Alternative reproductive tactics in the queen size dimorphic ant Leptothorax rugatulus (Emery) and population genetic consequences

Year: 2001

Type: article

Abstract: We report the results of a comprehensive investigation of the queen size dimorphism in the North American ant Leptothorax rugatulus. Employing allozymes and microsatellites as genetic markers, we found no evidence that the gene pools of large (macrogynes) and small (microgynes) queens are distinct. Queens in polygynous colonies are related to each other, supporting the hypothesis that colonies with more than one queen commonly arise by the adoption of daughter queens into their natal colonies. The higher fat content of macrogynes, their predominance in monogynous societies and in small founding colonies, and their greater flight activity favor the view that macrogynes predominantly found colonies independently, while microgynes are specialized for dependent colony founding by readoption. When comparing the genetic structure of three different subpopulations, we found that the alternative life histories had no significant effect on population viscosity at the scale investigated.

Source: NC Digital Online Collection of Knowledge and Scholarship (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

Author: Olav Rueppell

Language: English

Topic: Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: American Museum of Natural History, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes

Award: G2436600599

OpenAlex ID: W1518497644

FWCI: 0.722

Cites:

Cited by: 8

Related to: 10