A Combination of Fertility Signals and Aggression Regulates Reproduction in the Ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gnamptogenys striatula</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Els Lommelen Tom Wenseleers Christine A Johnson Falko P Drijfhout Johan Billen Bruno Gobin |
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Institution: | (1) Zoological Institute, K.U.Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2466, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;(2) The American Museum of Natural History, Division of Invertebrate Zoology, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA;(3) Chemical Ecology Group, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK;(4) PCS Research Centre for Ornamental Plants, Schaessestraat 18, 9070 Destelbergen, Belgium |
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Abstract: | Approximately 150 ant species are facultatively or obligately queenless whereby mated workers assume the role of the queen.
In many of these species a reproductive dominance hierarchy is established by way of aggressive interactions. Top-ranking
workers, which are typically the most fecund, acquire a characteristic cuticular hydrocarbon profile. We studied the temporal
dynamics of this chemical change and associated interplay with observed aggressive interactions in an experimentally orphaned
colony of the facultatively queenless ant Gnamptogenys striatula. Our observations and chemical analyses demonstrate that chemical fertility signals played a major role in the establishment
of a dominance hierarchy and aggression settled dominance relationships only when ants had identical hydrocarbon profiles.
Moreover, individuals with a higher potential fertility, in this experiment reflected in a higher ovariole number, are shown
to have a better chance of becoming a reproductive. |
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