Queen polymorphism in the North American harvester ant, Ephebomyrmex imberbiculus

J. Heinze, B. Hölldobler, S. P. Cover

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the North American harvester ant Ephebomyrmex imberbiculus, in addition to dealate queens, wingless female reproductives occur that have greatly reduced ocelli and thoracic sutures (intermorphic queens). Both queen types are equivalent in function, and do not differ in ovarian morphology. Colonies may contain several inseminated and egg-laying intermorphic queens. We discuss queen polymorphism in respect to the biology of this desert-dwelling species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)267-273
Number of pages7
JournalInsectes Sociaux
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ephebomyrmex
  • Pogonomyrmex
  • harvester ants
  • queen polymorphism
  • wing reduction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Insect Science

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