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Functional Monogyny and Dominance Hierarchy in the Queenless Ponerine Ant Pachycondyla (= Bothroponera ) sp. in West Java, Indonesia (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae)
Author(s) -
Ito Fuminori
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1993.tb00463.x
Subject(s) - dominance hierarchy , biology , hymenoptera , ant , dominance (genetics) , foraging , zoology , social hierarchy , ecology , aculeata , vespidae , aggression , social psychology , psychology , biochemistry , gene
Social organization of the queenless ponerine ant Pachycondyla (Bothroponera) sp. was studied in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Colonies had no morphologically distinct queens. Worker number per colony was 11 on average. Most colonies contained multiple mated workers (gamergates), however, only one of them laid eggs, whereas additional gamergates were sterile or ovipositing at a low rate, indicating that this ant species shows functional monogyny. Some virgin workers also developed their oocytes and actually laid eggs. Ritualized dominant — subordinate behavior was frequently observed and a linear dominance hierarchy was established among workers. The topranking individual was a fertile gamergate. Sterile gamergates positioned in lower ranks and they often engaged in foraging. Among virgin workers, callows and young workers monopolized higher ranks.