Unicoloniality, recognition and genetic differentiation in a native Formica ant.

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Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Unicoloniality, recognition and genetic differentiation in a native Formica ant.
Journal
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Author(s)
Holzer B., Chapuisat M., Kremer N., Finet C., Keller L.
ISSN
1010-061X[print], 1010-061X[linking]
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2006
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
19
Number
6
Pages
2031-2039
Language
english
Abstract
Some ants have an extraordinary form of social organization, called unicoloniality, whereby individuals mix freely among physically separated nests. This mode of social organization has been primarily studied in introduced and invasive ant species, so that the recognition ability and genetic structure of ants forming unicolonial populations in their native range remain poorly known. We investigated the pattern of aggression and the genetic structure of six unicolonial populations of the ant Formica paralugubris at four hierarchical levels: within nests, among nests within the same population, among nests of populations within the Alps or Jura Mountains and among nests of the two mountain ranges. Ants within populations showed no aggressive behaviour, but recognized nonnestmates as shown by longer antennation bouts. Overall, the level of aggression increased with geographic and genetic distance but was always considerably lower than between species. No distinct behavioural supercolony boundaries were found. Our study provides evidence that unicoloniality can be maintained in noninvasive ants despite significant genetic differentiation and the ability to discriminate between nestmates and nonnestmates.
Keywords
Aggression/psychology, Animals, Ants/genetics, Ants/physiology, Behavior, Animal
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
24/01/2008 19:22
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:15
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