ISSN:
1420-9098
Keywords:
Myrmica tahoensis
;
sex ratio
;
relatedness
;
microsatellite DNA
;
sex allocation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Sex allocation was measured across six seasons in colonies of the facultatively polygynous antMyrmica tahoensis. The overall proportion of colonies that produced sexuals was constant throughout the study, but population-level sex ratios varied considerably. In 1991, 1993, and 1995, a significantly greater proportion of colonies produced females than in 1990, 1992, and 1994. Sex ratios were similar across six sites within individual years, suggesting a population-wide cause of sex-ratio variation. Individual colonies tended, on average, to produce similar sex ratios in consecutive years. Within-colony genetic relatedness, while strongly correlated with sex ratios within years, did not explain the year-to-year variation. It is suggested that extrinsic factors can limit the production of female sexuals, even when genetic relatedness is high enough to favor female production.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01242932
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