Summary
Sociobiological studies were made of the polygynic ant speciesLasius sakagamii Yamauchi et Hayashida. This species has a peculiar polydomous system characterized by 1) intranidal mating, 2) retention of newly emerged queens in the mother nest, resulting in a polygynic colony, 3) reduced territorial behavior, 4) colony multiplication by budding, 5) enlargement of colony size up to several millions of workers, 6) saturation and domination of preferred local habitat. Compared with that of other polydomous species, the polydomous system of this species may be considered relatively undifferentiated or rudimentary, offering valuable materials for the study of the evolution of polydomous systems.
Resume
Les sociétés deLasius sakagamii Yamauchi et Hayashida ont une organisation polycalique particulière, caractérisée par les faits suivants: 1) accouplements entre membres du même nid; 2) maintien des femelles nouvellement écloses dans le nid maternel, donc société polygyne; 3) comportement territorial peu développé; 4) reproduction des sociétés par bourgeonnement; 5) croissance de la société jusqu'à plusieurs millions d'ouvrières; 6) saturation des habitats préférés, et dominance locale. La comparaison avec d'autres espèces de Fourmis polycaliques montre que l'organisation polycalique de l'espèce étudiée est relativement peu différenciée et rudimentaire, et constitue un matériel favorable pour l'étude de l'évolution du système polycalique.
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Yamauchi, K., Kinomura, K. & Miyake, S. Sociobiological studies of the polygynic antLasius sakagamii . Ins. Soc 28, 279–296 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223629
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223629