Male production by workers in the polygynous ant Prolasius advenus
Details
State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_5632A52EB560
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Male production by workers in the polygynous ant Prolasius advenus
Journal
Insectes Sociaux
ISSN
0020-1812
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
60
Number
3
Pages
303-308
Language
english
Abstract
The ability of workers to produce male individuals
is reported here for the first time in a species of the
formicine ant genus Prolasius. We show that Prolasius
advenus workers possess ovaries and demonstrate that they
are able to produce adult males in queenless colonies. We
also experimentally tested the influence of queen volatiles
on the level of worker reproduction. Workers produced
fewer eggs in treatments where they could perceive odors
from queens. Some volatile compounds emitted by queens
may thus have a signaling or inhibitory effect on worker
reproduction. This effect of queen presence did not entirely
stop worker reproduction, however, as adult males still
emerged under these conditions. Worker-produced males
were absent only in treatments with the physical presence of
queens. Dissections of workers collected from queenright
nests in the field revealed signs of egg-laying activity in
more than half of individuals. Together, these results suggest
that in nature P. advenus workers produce males at least
in orphaned colonies or in situations where the physical
presence of queens is limited.
is reported here for the first time in a species of the
formicine ant genus Prolasius. We show that Prolasius
advenus workers possess ovaries and demonstrate that they
are able to produce adult males in queenless colonies. We
also experimentally tested the influence of queen volatiles
on the level of worker reproduction. Workers produced
fewer eggs in treatments where they could perceive odors
from queens. Some volatile compounds emitted by queens
may thus have a signaling or inhibitory effect on worker
reproduction. This effect of queen presence did not entirely
stop worker reproduction, however, as adult males still
emerged under these conditions. Worker-produced males
were absent only in treatments with the physical presence of
queens. Dissections of workers collected from queenright
nests in the field revealed signs of egg-laying activity in
more than half of individuals. Together, these results suggest
that in nature P. advenus workers produce males at least
in orphaned colonies or in situations where the physical
presence of queens is limited.
Keywords
Worker reproduction, Ant males, Prolasius advenus, Reproductive conflicts
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
21/01/2014 17:39
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:10