Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1007/PL00001755
Document Shareable Link
Title (Primary) Geographic variation of polygyny in the termite Macrotermes michaelseni (Sjöstedt)
Author Brandl, R.; Hacker, M.; Bagine, R.K.N.; Kaib, M.
Source Titel Insectes Sociaux
Year 2001
Department BZF
Volume 48
Issue 2
Page From 134
Page To 137
Language englisch
Abstract

Macrotermes michaelsen is a facultative polygynous termite species. Our report provides evidence for an increase of the frequency in polygyny towards a distributional border. We suggest three hypotheses to explain this pattern. Firstly, polygynous colonies have a higher chance to recruit into the mature population. Secondly, alates are more inclined to found colonies co-operatively near a distributional border. Thirdly, at the distributional border the level of intra-colonial conflicts decreases. We provide evidence that the mutilations of queens' antennae may be a measure of ongoing aggression as well as aggression in the past. Our third hypothesis would thus predict that the mutilations of antennae should decrease towards the distributional border, which was not supported by our data.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=6231
Brandl, R., Hacker, M., Bagine, R.K.N., Kaib, M. (2001):
Geographic variation of polygyny in the termite Macrotermes michaelseni (Sjöstedt)
Insect. Soc. 48 (2), 134 - 137 10.1007/PL00001755