Male polymorphism in the ant Cardiocondyla minutior (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1999 |
Authors: | J. Heinze |
Journal: | Entomologia Generalis |
Volume: | 23 |
Pagination: | 251-258 |
Abstract: | Males of the myrmicine ant Cardiocondyla minutior may be either winged and similar to normal ant males in morphology and behavior, or aggressive, wingless and workerlike in external appearence ("ergatoid"). Compared to other ant males, spermatogenesis appears to be prolonged in both male morphs, though the testes had completely degenerated in winged males 20d after eclosion. A comparative investigation supports the hypothesis that only ergatoid males are produced in those Cardiocondyla species that have on average large colony sizes, whereas both male morphs co-occur in species with small colony size. |
Alternate Journal: | Entomol. Gen. |