Layered social competition coordinates reproductive hierarchy formation in ants

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Ecology
• Social Insects
• Neuroethology

Background:

• Eusocial insects form reproductive hierarchies and divisions of labor through social interactions.
• In Harpegnathos saltator ants, queen loss triggers worker-to-gamergate transition via antennal dueling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the social dynamics and interaction networks governing reproductive hierarchy formation in Harpegnathos saltator.
• To investigate how specific behaviors and their regulation influence gamergate fate.

Main Methods:

• Utilized long-term automated tracking and behavioral classifiers to quantify social interactions.
• Systematically analyzed antennal dueling, aggressive grooming, and mandible locking behaviors.

Main Results:

• Antennal dueling exhibits engaged and disengaged states; persistent engagement predicts gamergate transition.
• Early food access influences dueling activity and promotes entry into the engaged state.
• Engaged individuals preferentially duel each other, cluster spatially, and exhibit distinct behaviors (mandible locking, aggressive grooming) that stabilize caste fate.

Conclusions:

• Structured social interactions, particularly sustained engagement in specific behavioral states, are crucial for reproductive hierarchy formation.
• Behavioral state regulation through social interactions shapes caste fate in ants.