Discrimination between workers of Acromyrmex subterraneus molestans from monogynous and polygynous colonies

Behavioral assays were conducted with individuals from monogynous and polygynous colonies of Acromyrmex subterraneus molestans to evaluate the discriminatory ability of ant workers. These bioassays showed that this subspecies could not discriminate among non-nestmates or nestmate workers. However, nestmates of these same colonies did discriminate among workers of another subspecies Ac. subterraneus subterraneus. When discrimation occurred there were no differences in the response of workers from either monogynous or polygynous colonies. Similarities or differences in the chemical profile of both subspecies explained the absence or occurence of aggressiveness among workers. The chemical profile of colonies of the same subspecies was very similar among them, although distinct among subspecies. The number of queens did not influence the cuticular chemical composition of the workers or their behavior.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Souza,Danival José de, Lucia,Terezinha Maria Castro Della, Barbosa,Luiz Cláudio de Almeida
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná - Tecpar 2006
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-89132006000300013
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