Behavioral transitions with the evolution of cooperative nest founding by harvester ant queens

Overson, Rick P.; Gadau, Juergen; Clark, Rebecca; Pratt, Stephen C.; Fewell, Jennifer H.

doi:10.1007/s00265-013-1618-2

Cited by 29 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Cooperative colony founding is a common phenomenon in ants, where several queens might be present at the early stages of colony founding and early workers will admix cuticular hydrocarbons through physical contact, social grooming, and trophallaxis (e.g. Helms and Helms Cahan 2012; Overson et al 2014). Additionally, the presence of multiple unrelated queens in mature colonies (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in spatial scale of competing polydomous twig-nesting ants in coffee agroecosystems

2016

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Arboreal ants are both highly diverse and ecologically dominant in the tropics. This ecologically important group is particularly useful in ongoing efforts to understand processes that regulate species diversity and coexistence. Our study addresses how polydomy can influence patterns of nest occupation in competing arboreal ants. We examined the spatial structure of nest occupation (nest distance, abundance and density) in three polydomous co-occurring twig-nesting ant species (Pseudomyrmex simplex, P. ejectus and P. PSW-53) by mapping twigs occupied by ants from each species within plots in our study site. We then used two colony structure estimators (intraspecific aggression and cuticular hydrocarbon variation) to determine the relative degree of polydomy for each species. All work was conducted in coffee agroforests in Chiapas, Mexico. Our results revealed that the two species with highest abundance and nest density were also highly polydomous, where both species had either single or multiple non-aggressive colonies occupying nests on a large spatial scale (greater than the hectare level). Our results also indicate that the species with the lowest abundance and density is less polydomous, occupying several overlapping and territorial colonies at the hectare level in which multiple colonies never co-occur on the same host plant. These results contribute evidence that successful coexistence and highly polydomous colony structure may allow ants, through reduced intraspecific aggression, to successfully occupy more nests more densely than ant species that have multiple territorial colonies. Furthermore our study highlights the importance of considering intraspecific interactions when examining community assembly of ants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in spatial scale of competing polydomous twig-nesting ants in coffee agroecosystems

2016

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“…; Clark & Fewell ; Overson et al . ). In cooperative groups, aggression is often used as a social strategy, by determining differential access to reproduction and other resources, or by modulating and policing cooperative behaviours and reciprocity (reviewed by Collias ; Francis ; Clutton‐Brock & Parker ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Cahan & Julian ; Overson et al . ). Contiguous populations of P. californicus show distinct differences in founding strategy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Normally pleometrotic queens, in contrast, show little aggression to other pleometrotic queens (Clark & Fewell ; Overson et al . ). We therefore asked: (i) what are the gene expression correlates of these observed population differences in queen founding strategy (haplometrotic vs. pleometrotic); and (ii) what is the relationship between gene expression and social context (nesting alone vs. in pairs) in the behavioural expression of aggression.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Gene expression and variation in social aggression by queens of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex californicus

et al. 2016

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A key requirement for social cooperation is the mitigation and/or social regulation of aggression towards other group members. Populations of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex californicus show the alternate social phenotypes of queens founding nests alone (haplometrosis) or in groups of unrelated yet cooperative individuals (pleometrosis). Pleometrotic queens display an associated reduction in aggression. To understand the proximate drivers behind this variation, we placed foundresses of the two populations into social environments with queens from the same or the alternate population, and measured their behaviour and head gene expression profiles. A proportion of queens from both populations behaved aggressively, but haplometrotic queens were significantly more likely to perform aggressive acts, and conflict escalated more frequently in pairs of haplometrotic queens. Whole-head RNA sequencing revealed variation in gene expression patterns, with the two populations showing moderate differentiation in overall transcriptional profile, suggesting that genetic differences underlie the two founding strategies. The largest detected difference, however, was associated with aggression, regardless of queen founding type. Several modules of coregulated genes, involved in metabolism, immune system and neuronal function, were found to be upregulated in highly aggressive queens. Conversely, nonaggressive queens exhibited a striking pattern of upregulation in chemosensory genes. Our results highlight that the social phenotypes of cooperative vs. solitary nest founding tap into a set of gene regulatory networks that seem to govern aggression level. We also present a number of highly connected hub genes associated with aggression, providing opportunity to further study the genetic underpinnings of social conflict and tolerance.

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“…The two genera are relatively phylogenetically distinct within the Myrmicinae (Ward et al 2015) but have similar nesting and trophic biologies. Pogonomyrmex californicus queens found colonies singly at some locations (haplometrosis) and in groups at other locations (pleometrosis) (Overson et al 2014). The behavior of M. semirufus more closely resembles the haplometrotic populations of P. californicus.…”

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Forced queen associations

Breed

2017

Insect. Soc.

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cooperatively and ultimately either transition to monogynous colonies via queen or worker culling of queens or become fully functional polygynous colonies. In these cases, whether the outcome is monogyny or polygyny, groups have survival advantages over single foundresses. Motro et al. (2017) found that pairs of M. semirufus queens performed less well than solitary queens at nest construction and that mortality was higher in pairs. Aggressive interactions, rather than cooperative behaviors emerged when ants were paired, suggesting that in this species queens attempt to usurp other queens' nests, rather than joining for the benefits of mutual assistance. Crowding and difficult environmental conditions, exemplified by hard soil, favored co-founding in this species. Motro et al. (2017) suggest that such forced associations could lead to selection for mutual tolerance, which is a critical first step in the emergence of cooperation.Messor is a particularly interesting target for these experiments because similar studies have been conducted in another seed harvesting ant, Pogonomyrmex. The two genera are relatively phylogenetically distinct within the Myrmicinae (Ward et al. 2015) but have similar nesting and trophic biologies. Pogonomyrmex californicus queens found colonies singly at some locations (haplometrosis) and in groups at other locations (pleometrosis) (Overson et al. 2014). The behavior of M. semirufus more closely resembles the haplometrotic populations of P. californicus.Particularly notable about this study is that the data were collected a full quarter-century ago. This shows that careful studies with thorough documentation can retain their value. The value of this study perhaps even increased over time, as the theoretical framework about emergent cooperation developed and data were published on forced associations in other species of ant. Investigations of colony founding by groups start with the question: What happens if an animal that could survive perfectly well on its own is confined with others of the same species? Queens of the harvester ant species Messor semirufus typically found nests on their own, but occasional observations have been made of small groups of queens founding nests together. Many species of ant solitary queens initiate colonies, but in some species groups of queens come together and co-establish a nest. In this issue of Insectes Sociaux, Motro et al. (2017) investigate the outcomes of keeping M. semirufus queens in small groups. This study fits with a growing literature on how social cooperation might emerge when solitary animals are placed in groups by looking at success of group colony foundation in a species which normally does not express this behavior.When animals have no option but to occupy the same space, the first obvious outcome is battle and possibly cannibalism. Second, the animals could ignore one another, perhaps only interacting if competing for a limited resource. Third, they could start working together to modify their environment, making it more suitable for ha...

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Behavioral transitions with the evolution of cooperative nest founding by harvester ant queens

Cited by 29 publications

References 47 publications

Variation in spatial scale of competing polydomous twig-nesting ants in coffee agroecosystems

Variation in spatial scale of competing polydomous twig-nesting ants in coffee agroecosystems

Gene expression and variation in social aggression by queens of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex californicus

Forced queen associations

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