A female caste specialized for the production of unfertilized eggs in the ant Crematogaster smithi

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Olav Rueppell, Associate Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: In colonies of the North American ant Crematogaster smithi “large workers” occur which are morphologically intermediate between winged queens and small workers and appear to be specialized for the production of unfertilized eggs. In queenless colonies these eggs may develop into males, but most of them are eaten in colonies containing a queen. We discuss the possible significance of this new type of female.

Additional Information

Publication
Naturwissenschaften 86: 93-95
Language: English
Date: 1999
Keywords
Female caste, Unfertilized eggs, Ants, Queenless colonies

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