Summary
We examined the relationship between queen number and worker size in colonies of the fire antSolenopsis invicta. Worker size in monogyne colonies was significantly greater than in polygyne colonies; furthermore, polygyne colonies snowed a strong negative linear relationship between queen number and worker size. Higher queen pheromone level and/or decreased food availability accompanying an increase in queen number likely play important roles in producing the observed patterns.
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Goodisman, M.A.D., Ross, K.G. Relationship of queen number and worker size in polygyne colonies of the fire antSolenopsis invicta . Ins. Soc 43, 303–307 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01242931
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01242931