Microsatellite analysis suggests occasional worker reproduction in the monogynous ant Crematogaster smithi

In addition to a single queen and workers, colonies of the ant Crematogaster smithi from the Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, may contain one or several "large workers". These are specialized for laying viable, unfertilized eggs. However, it is unclear whether in queenright colonies these eggs ar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insectes sociaux 2000-01, Vol.47 (4), p.299-301
Main Authors: HEINZE, J, STRÄTZ, M, PEDERSEN, J. S, HABERL, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Crematogaster smithi
Demecology
Formicidae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Protozoa. Invertebrata
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Summary:In addition to a single queen and workers, colonies of the ant Crematogaster smithi from the Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, may contain one or several "large workers". These are specialized for laying viable, unfertilized eggs. However, it is unclear whether in queenright colonies these eggs are all eaten or some of them develop into males. Using microsatellite markers we investigated the genetic structure of colonies of C. smithi. The effective mating frequency of queens is close to one. At least in one of four colonies that contained both a queen and "large workers" and produced males in the laboratory, the genotype of some males suggested worker reproduction.
ISSN:0020-1812
1420-9098
DOI:10.1007/pl00001719