Pretender punishment induced by chemical signalling in a queenless ant.
Animal societies are stages for both conflict and cooperation. Reproduction is often monopolized by one or a few individuals who behave aggressively to prevent subordinates from reproducing (for example, naked mole-rats, wasps and ants). Here we report an unusual mechanism by which the dominant individual maintains reproductive control. In the queenless ant Dinoponera quadriceps, only the alpha female reproduces. If the alpha is challenged by another female she chemically marks the pretender who is then punished by low-ranking females. This cooperation between alpha and low-rankers allows the alpha to inflict punishment indirectly, thereby maintaining her reproductive primacy without having to fight.
Monnin
Thibaud
T
Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. Thibauld.Monnin@snv.jussieu.fr
Ratnieks
Francis L W
FL
Jones
Graeme R
GR
Beard
Richard
R
D000378:Agonistic Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001681:Biological Assay; D001733:Bites and Stings; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D010675:Pheromones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012930:Social Dominance
D010675:Pheromones