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Behavioural development, fat reserves and their association with productivity in Lasius flavus founding queens
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 00:33 authored by V C Norman, T Pamminger, William HughesWilliam HughesReproduction-related behaviours are key components determining individual fitness. Many behavioural traits are linked, and such trait associations often affect fitness. Here, we combine behavioural and physiological data during two critical time points of founding queens (early and late nest-founding stage) in the claustral ant Lasius flavus to assess how these factors affect their initial productivity. We show that most behavioural traits, except brood care behaviour, are plastic during queen development and demonstrate that there are alternative behavioural pathways to achieve high productivity under standardised conditions. These results indicate that queens can utilise multiple behavioural trait combinations to maximise reproductive output at the earliest, and arguably most critical, time of colony foundation.
Funding
Phenotypic plasticity in leaf-cutting ants; G0977; SYNGENTA LIMITED
DTA - Determining the environmental and genetic basis of phenotypic plasiticity in leaf-cutting ants; G1011; BBSRC-BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL; BB/J011339/1
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
NaturwissenschaftenISSN
0028-1042Publisher
Springer VerlagExternal DOI
Issue
23Volume
103Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2016-03-11Usage metrics
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