Reproduction in ponerine ants without queens: monogyny and exceptionally small colonies in the AustralianPachycondyla sublaevis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Pachycondyla sublaevis may have the smallest colonies yet reported in ants (mean number of adults is 9 ± 2. 5 SD per colony; n=12). There are no queens in this ponerine species, and workers are able to mate and reproduce. Dissection of 102 workers from 12 colonies indicated that only one per colony is inseminated and has active ovaries. The mechanism regulating the incidence of mating is not known, although the single gamergate appears to inhibit ovarian activity in her nestmates.