Queen dimorphism and reproductive capacity in the ponerine ant, Ectatomma ruidum Roger
We report here the first case of queen dimorphism in a ponerine ant species. A total of 550 colonies of the Neotropical ponerine ant Ectatomma ruidum, from two natural populations in southeastern Mexico, were investigated for polymorphism and reproductive function within the queen caste. The distribution of diferent morphological traits (head and thorax widths, and scutum and alitrunk lengths) was shown to be bi- modal. Thorax width and head width were significantly isometric for both macro- and microgynes and thorax proportions did not change with the category of the queen. Microgynes appear as an isometric reduction of the normal queens. On average, macrogynes were found to be approximately 20% larger in size and twice as heavy as microgynes (and up to three times heavier in terms of dry weight). Their wing surface was 72% greater.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | spa |
| Subjects: | Ectatomma ruidum, Hormigas, Dimorfismo sexual en animales, Variación morfológica, Artfrosur, |
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