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Mating system evolution and worker caste diversity in Pheidole ants
Ming H Huang1, Diana E Wheeler, Else J Fjerdingstad
1Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0036, USA. mhuang2@juno.com
Molecular Ecology
|February 6, 2013
Summary
Queen mating strategies influence worker diversity in Pheidole ants. Higher effective mating frequency in P. rhea correlated with greater worker diversity, suggesting co-evolution between queen mating and worker polymorphism.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Genetics
Background:
- Social insect colonies optimize efficiency through division of labor, often driven by worker morphological diversity.
- Worker diversity can arise from genetic variance recruited by queens (polyandry/polygyny) or worker policing, which reduces reproductive pressure on workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic effects of recruiting multiple patrilines on worker developmental diversity in Pheidole ants.
- To examine the role of queen mating strategies in driving worker polymorphism, independent of worker policing.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study across Pheidole ant species with varying worker caste diversity.
- Utilized highly variable microsatellite markers to assess queen mating frequency (effective mating number, meN) and paternity skew.
- Analyzed genetic effects on worker size and shape variation.
Main Results:
- P. rhea, with high worker polymorphism, had a significantly higher effective mating frequency (avg. meN = 2.65) than dimorphic P. spadonia (avg. meN = 1.06).
- Despite paternity skew in P. rhea (avg. B = 0.10), higher mating frequency was observed.
- Detected patriline bias in the production of different worker sizes, indicating a genetic basis for worker polymorphism.
Conclusions:
- Queen mating strategies appear to co-evolve with selection for increased worker diversity.
- Genetic variance from multiple patrilines directly contributes to worker polymorphism in Pheidole ants.
- Worker sterility in Pheidole ants allows for studying mating effects on diversity without confounding worker policing.
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