Summary
The sex ratio of investment (SRI) or male investment frequencies (IFs) were estimated at the population and colony level in populations ofL. alienus, L. niger and their hybrids. More simlarity betweenL. alienus IFs and the hybrid IFs than between compatibility of these data with predictions dependent on the caste or intra (in the instance of workers) and inter caste conflict as determinants of the IF. An estimate of intra colonial, worker relatedness in aL. alienus population was significantly greater than zero. Whilst being consistent with the monogynous structure attributed to this species the 95% confidence limits of the relatedness value would also accommodate a degree of polygyny and/or multipe mating.
Resume
La sex-ratio de l'investissement reproductif (SRI) ou la fréquence de l'investissement mâle (IFS) ont été évaluées au niveau de la population et des colonies dans des populations des fourmisL. alienus, L. niger et leurs hybrides. Une plus grande similarité a été notée entre l'IFS correspondant àL. alienus et aux hybrides qu'entre ces derniers et l'IFS deL. niger. Ceci a été étudié en rapport avec la compatibilkités de cette information avec des prédictions reposant sur la caste et le conflit intra- (dans le cas des ouvrières) et inter-castes comme déterminants de IF. Une évaluation de la relation des ouvrières entre elles à l'inteérieur d'une même colonie dans une population de fourmisL. alienus a été significativement supérieure à zéro. Bien qu'étant en accord avec la structure monogyne attribuée à cette espèce les limites de confiance au seuil de 95% du degré de relation pourrait aussi correspondre à un certain degré de polygynie et/ou de fécondation multiple.
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Pearson, B. The sex ratio of heathland populations of the antsLasius alienus, lasius niger and their hybrids. Ins. Soc 34, 194–203 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224084
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224084