Biological correlates of behavioral development in the ant, Novomessor albisetosus (Mayr).
Physical changes are associated with temporal polyethism, the division of labor according to age. The period of developing ovaries corresponds with the age when workers are found with the brood and queen. Resorption of ovaries occurs at a time when workers no longer tend brood and queen. Two bursts of exoskeleton hardening and growth of the poison gland apparatus corresponds with a transitional period in the behavioral development of workers and finally with their development into nest defenders and foragers.
McDonald
P
P
Department of Psychology, Hunter College of CUNY, New York 10021.
Topoff
H
H
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000502:physiology*; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D010675:Pheromones / Q000502:physiology*; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology
D010675:Pheromones