Reproduction,dominance, and caste: endocrine profiles of queens and workers of the ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Harpegnathos saltator</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Clint A Penick Jürgen Liebig Colin S Brent |
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Institution: | (1) School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA;(2) US Department of Agriculture, Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA |
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Abstract: | The regulation of reproduction within insect societies is a key component of the evolution of eusociality. Differential patterns
of hormone levels often underlie the reproductive division of labor observed among colony members, and further task partitioning
among workers is also often correlated with differences in juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroid content. We measured JH and
ecdysteroid content of workers and queens of the ant Harpegnathos saltator. In this species, new colonies are founded by a single queen, but after she dies workers compete in an elaborate dominance
tournament to decide a new group of reproductives termed “gamergates.” Our comparisons revealed that queens, gamergates, and
inside workers (non-reproductive) did not differ in levels of JH or ecdysteroids. However, increased JH and decreased ecdysteroid
content was observed in outside workers exhibiting foraging behavior. Application of a JH analog to virgin queens of H. saltator, although effective at inducing dealation, failed to promote egg production. Together, these results support the hypothesis
that JH has lost its reproductive function in H. saltator to regulate foraging among the worker caste. |
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