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Queen polymorphism inLeptothorax spec. A: Its genetic and ecological background (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Königinnen-Polymophismus beiLeptothorax spec. A: Genetischer und ökologischer Hintergrund (Hymencptera-Formicidae)

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Summary

Queen polymorphism in the non-parasitic ant,Leptothorax spec. A, is most probably genetically mediated by a pair of alleles E/e. E suppresses the development of wings, thoracic structures and ocelli in female larvae. Only ee-larvae may grow to gynomorphic, winged queens, EE- and Ee- larvae develop into intermorphic, wingless queens. The frequency of intermorphic queens varies widely in different habitats. Whereas in homogeneous coniferous forests throughout southern and central Quebec the gynomorph is abundant, in patchily distributed rocky outcrops along the St. Lawrence River intermorphic queens predominate. We suggest a different dispersal success of the two morphs in the various habitats.

Zusammenfassung

Der Königinnepolymorphismus der nicht-parasitischen AmeisenartLeptothorax spec. A wird genetisch, wahrscheinlich durch ein Allelpaar E/e, kontrolliert. E unterdrückt dabei in weiblichen Larven die Entwicklung von Flügeln, Ocellen und Thoraxnähten, nur ee-Larven können zu geflügelten, gynomorphen Jungköniginnen heranwachsen. EE-und Ee-Königinnen sind immer intermorph. Die Häufigkeit intermorpher Königinnen im Freiland variiert von Population zu Population: in den homogenen, lichten Nadelwäldern Süd/und Zentralquebecs überwiegt die Gynomorphe, in inselartig beschränkten Biotopen, wie auf den Felsflächen am Lorenzstrom, dominieren intermorphe Weibchen. Unterschiedlicher Erfolg der beiden Morphen in den verschiedenen Biotopen wird angenommen.

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Author notes

  1. J. Heine

    Present address: MCZ-Labs, Harvard-University, 02138, Cambridge, MA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inst. f. Zoologie, TH Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 3, D6100, Darmstadt, FRG

    J. Heine & A. Buschinger

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  1. J. Heine
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Heine, J., Buschinger, A. Queen polymorphism inLeptothorax spec. A: Its genetic and ecological background (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ins. Soc 36, 139–155 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02225909

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