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1993 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Intracolonial distribution and phylogeny of kin recognition in ants

Research Project

Project/Area Number 04640601
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Research Field 生態学
Research InstitutionHOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY

Principal Investigator

HIGASHI Seigo  Hokkaido Univ., Grad.Sch.Eanvir.Earth Sc.Pro., 大学院地球環境科学研究科, 教授 (90133777)

Project Period (FY) 1992 – 1993
Keywordskin recognition / kin discrimination / dominance hierarchy / social insect / social evolution / ant
Research Abstract

Although intracolonial kin recognition was tested in various species of ant, no evidence of kin discrimination was obtained. However, only one species Pachycondyla sublaevis suggested that they may be able to discriminate each nestmate from others within a colony as follows :
This and species had small colonies (2-18 workers) and no morphologically distinct queens. Instead, it exhibited a well-defined dominance hierarchy in which only the top-ranked worker was inseminated by males and had a well-developed ovary with matured oocytes. The dominance order was related to the age of workers but not their body size. That is, the top rank was occupied by young workers in most colonies and newly eclosed callows always filled the position next to the top. The high-ranked workers were engaged in extranidal tasks such as hunting and nest defende.
The existence of kin recognition was suggested when demotion within the hierarchy occurred occasionally. For instance, when the top-ranked worker was artificially removed in a colony, second-ranked worker immediately became top as usual. Soon later, however, some workers helped new third and aggressively attacked new top and second until the third finally monopolized the top position.
It is suggested that the dominance hierarchy of this ant species has evoloved as a consequence of intra-colonial competition for reproduction, and it is also likely that close kins can help each other even with a colony to raise their addaptive fitness.

  • Research Products

    (4 results)

All Other

All Publications (4 results)

  • [Publications] Higashi, S., F.Ito, N.Sugiura, K.Ohkawara: "Worker's age regulates the linear dominance hierarchy in the queenless ponerine ant,Pachycondylasublaeus" Animal Behaviour. 47. 179-184 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Ito, F., N.Sugiura & S.Higashi: "Worker polymorphism in the red-head bulldog ant,with description of nest structure and colony composition" Ann.Entomul.Soc.America. 87. 337-341 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Higashi, S., F.Ito, N.Sugiura and K.Ohkawara: "Worker's age regulates the linear dominance hierarchy in the queenless ponerine ant, Pachycondyla sublaevis (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)" Animal Behavior. 47. 179-184 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Ito, F., N.Sugiura and S.Higashi: "Worker polymorphism in the red-head bulldog ant (Hymenoptera : Formicidae), with description of nest structure and colony composition." Annals of the Entomological Society fo America. 87. 337-341 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より

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Published: 1999-03-16  

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