Queen control of sex ratio in fire ants

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_C46024A6ADBA
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Queen control of sex ratio in fire ants
Journal
Science
Author(s)
Passera  L., Aron  S., Vargo  E. L., Keller  L.
ISSN
0036-8075
Publication state
Published
Issued date
08/2001
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
293
Number
5533
Pages
1308-10
Notes
Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't --- Old month value: Aug 17
Abstract
The haplodiploid sex-determination system of ants gives rise to conflict between queens and workers over colony sex ratios, and the female-biased allocation ratios seen in many species suggest that workers often prevail in this conflict. We exchanged queens between male- and female-specialist colonies of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta. These exchanges quickly reversed the sex-ratio biases of adopting colonies. The sex ratio of queen-laid eggs differed strongly between male- and female-specialist colonies. These findings suggest that queens can force workers to raise male sexuals by limiting the number of female brood and help to explain why sex investment ratios lie between the queen and worker equilibria in this and many other ant species.
Keywords
Animals Ants/genetics/*physiology Behavior, Animal Female Male Models, Biological Oviposition Ovum/physiology Reproduction Sex Determination (Genetics) Sex Ratio Social Behavior Zygote/physiology
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
24/01/2008 18:39
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:39
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