The breeding system of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta: effects on colony genetic structure
Article Abstract:
The breeding system of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta and its effect on the genetic structure of the ant population was investigated. The results showed that variance in maternity apportionment among nest-mate queens or internest movement of ants are not significant determinants of colony genetic structure. Worker-relatedness is the results of two opposing factors: Single-mating by queens and the closed nature of the colony elevate worker-relatedness, while multiple unrelated queens depress it. Differences within nests in the matrilinear composition of worker and queen brood were also observed.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1993
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Colony size as a buffer against seasonality: Bergmann's rule in social insects
Article Abstract:
The size of a social insect colony in eusocial species is the summed sizes of its members. Small growing seasons in the temperate zone extract small-colony species through overwintering starvation, which is related to Bergmann's rule in social insects. Analysis of Bergmann's rule reveals that colony size of tropical ants is about one-tenth the average size of temperate species.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1995
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Joint influence of gene flow and selection on a reproductively important genetic polymorphism in the fire ant Solenopsis Invicta
Article Abstract:
Gene flow appears to neutralize the directional selection against Pgm-3 polymorphism amongst the fire ant Solenopsis invicta. While the ants attempt to control for Pgm-3 polymorphism by selecting which queens to mate with, the occurrence of the polymorphism in the population is still high. This is likely the result of immigrant males taking part in the mating process.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1995
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