ISSN:
1420-9098
Keywords:
Key words:Monogyny, Myrmica ruginodis complex, orphaned colony, reproductive strategy, worker reproduction.
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary: The reproductive strategy between queen-right and orphaned colonies of Myrmica kotokui was compared. The ratio of orphaned colonies reached about 30 percent in the field. Although colony size was significantly smaller in orphaned colonies, the mean body size and mean ovariole length of the workers were significantly larger than those in queen-right colonies. The reproductive individuals in orphaned colonies were also significantly larger than those in queen-right colonies. Only 38.5 % of the orphaned colonies, however, contained eggs during the reproductive season, compared to 100 % of the queen-right colonies. This indicates that worker reproduction under natural conditions is relatively low, even in orphaned colonies.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/PL00001727
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