Optional gamergates in the queenright ponerine ant Gnamptogenys striatula Mayr

Ponerine ants display a number of social structures to which particular behaviours are associated. In the ponerine ant species Gnamptogenys striatula Mayr, queens occur and queenright colonies are functionally polygynous. However, some workers are capable to mate and to produce their own worker offs...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insectes sociaux 2000, Vol.47 (2), p.193-197
Main Authors: BLATRIX, R, JAISSON, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal ethology
Biological and medical sciences
Formicidae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gnamptogenys striatula
Protozoa. Invertebrata
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
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Summary:Ponerine ants display a number of social structures to which particular behaviours are associated. In the ponerine ant species Gnamptogenys striatula Mayr, queens occur and queenright colonies are functionally polygynous. However, some workers are capable to mate and to produce their own worker offspring. These gamergates appear several days after the queens are experimentally removed, allowing some workers to adopt a sexual calling posture inside the nest. At that time, other workers get outside the nest to collect males in the arena and carry them back into the colony. There, these males are groomed before they can mate with sexual calling workers. As for queens, several gamergates may coexist in a same colony. The social profile of gamergates is similar to those of nurses and they stay closer to the egg piles.
ISSN:0020-1812
1420-9098
DOI:10.1007/PL00001701