Nestmate Recognition and the Genetic Relatedness of Nests in the Ant Formica pratensis

Genetic relatedness of the mound-building ant Formica pratensis was determined by means of micro-satellite DNA polymorphism, and its impact on nestmate recognition was tested in a population in Southern Sweden (Oeland). Recognition between nests was measured by testing aggression levels between sing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioral ecology and sociobiology 1998-07, Vol.43 (1), p.67-72
Main Authors: M. Beye, P. Neumann, M. Chapuisat, Pamilo, P., R. F. A. Moritz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal ethology
Animal nesting
Ants
Behavioral genetics
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetic distance
Insect behavior
Insect colonies
Insect genetics
Insect nests
Nestmate recognition
Protozoa. Invertebrata
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Social insects
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Summary:Genetic relatedness of the mound-building ant Formica pratensis was determined by means of micro-satellite DNA polymorphism, and its impact on nestmate recognition was tested in a population in Southern Sweden (Oeland). Recognition between nests was measured by testing aggression levels between single pairs of workers. The genetic distances of nests (Nei's genetic distance) and the spatial distance of nests were correlated and both showed a strong relation to the aggression behavior. Multiple regression analysis revealed a stronger impact of genetic relatedness rather than spatial distances on aggression behavior. Neighbouring nests were more closely related than distant nests, which may reflect budding as a possible spreading mechanism. The genetic distance data showed that nestmate recognition was strongly genetically influenced in F. pratensis.
ISSN:0340-5443
1432-0762
DOI:10.1007/s002650050467