Task Allocation Depends on Matriline in the Ponerine Ant Gnamptogenys striatula Mayr |
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Authors: | R Blatrix J-L Durand P Jaisson |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée, Université Paris 13, 93430 Villetaneuse, France;(2) Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée, ESA CNRS 7025, Université Paris 13, 93430 Villetaneuse, France |
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Abstract: | Matriline and the predominant social tasks performed by workers are correlated in the functionally polygynous ponerine ant Gnamptogenys striatula. This result favors the idea that polygyny might have been secondarily selected and maintained in ants because it provided more genetic variability and, thus, more potential variation in the regulation of the division of labor within mutualistic societies. As in previous studies on ants, nepotism could not be demonstrated. Because of the relatively small number of individuals per colony, these ponerine ants constitute a valuable model for exploring how polyethism is determined in insect societies. |
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Keywords: | Ponerinae Formicinae polygyny polyethism genetic variability |
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