Social evolution: ant eggs lacking totipotency.
Caste plasticity is a hallmark of social insects. However, maternal effects that limit the caste of eggs may be more widespread than previously appreciated, and can have some odd consequences.
Strassmann
Joan E
JE
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology MS-170, Rice University, PO Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77005-1892, USA. strassm@rice.edu
Queller
David C
DC
D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D052287:Oviparity / Q000502:physiology*; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D012930:Social Dominance; D039901:Totipotent Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*