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Queen numbers in colonies of ants of the genusMyrmica

Le nombre des reines dans les sociétés de Fourmis du genre Myrmica

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Summary

The effects upon the structure of a population ofMyrmica colonies is examined under the assumption that colonies adopt a strategy of persistent exclusive monogyny. The effects of various queen mortality curves are examined. It is concluded that field data does not support a hypothesis based on this strategy and it is suggested that allMyrmica colonies recruit replacement queens. The effects of different queen recruitment efficiencies are examined for haplometrotic and pleometrotic species. It is concluded that if all species have a capacity to recruit queens then all are potentially secondarily polygynous. The evolutionary significance of the social status ofMyrmica ants is discussed.

Resume

En partant de l'hypothèse que les colonies deMyrmica adoptent une stratégie de monogynie permanente et exclusive, on en examine les conséquences sur la structure des populations. Les effets de diverses courbes de mortalité des reines sont examinés. L'examen des données chiffrées recueillies dans la nature ne permet pas de retenir une hypothèse basée sur cette stratégie mais suggère plutôt que toutes les colonies deMyrmica recrutent des reines de remplacement. Les conséquences du recrutement des reines par les espèces haplométrotiques et pléométrotiques sont examinées. Si toutes les espèces deMyrmica recrutent les reines, alors toutes peuvent être considérées comme des espèces polygynes secondaires? L'importance évolutive de la position occupée par les sociétés deMyrmica est discutée.

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  1. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology Furzebrook Research Station, Wareham, Dorset, England

    G. W. Elmes

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  1. G. W. Elmes
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Elmes, G.W. Queen numbers in colonies of ants of the genusMyrmica . Ins. Soc 27, 43–60 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224520

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224520

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