ISSN:
1420-9098
Keywords:
Hymenoptera
;
ants
;
Messor
;
pleometrosis
;
queens
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Starting colonies of the desert seed-harvester antMessor pergandei are clumped in the field and face severe intraspecific competition through brood raiding. Single foundress laboratory colonies ofM. pergandei are more likely to succeed at brood raiding with conspecific colonies if they are given additional workers and mature pupae several days prior to brood raiding. Per foundress fecundity remains constant across laboratory starting colonies established with 1, 3 and 5 foundresses. These results suggest that the selective advantage of cooperative colony foundation (pleometrosis) in this and similar species may derive directly from the ability of multiple foundresses to produce a larger brood raiding force.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01240970
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