Titel
Caste-specific morphological modularity in the ant tribe Camponotini (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Autor*in
H. Zettel
Natural History Museum Vienna
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Abstract
Background: The morphological structures of organisms form tightly integrated but mutually independent character complexes (modules) linked through common development and function. Even though their abundance, diversity, and complex caste systems make camponotine ants ideal subjects to research developmental modularity and phenotypic integration, no studies investigating these phenomena have been conducted in this taxonomic group. This study attempts to identify and visualize integrated character complexes in 14 taxa from the genera Camponotus and Colobopsis using statistical analyses of morphometry. Results: The identified modules differ between castes: Minor workers have small heads and long extremities, while major workers have enlarged heads modified for defence, and short, thick appendages; extremities (legs and antennae) are strongly correlated in both worker castes. Gynes show weaker integration of extremities, but a strong correlation of mesosoma and eyes, and highly variable median ocellus size. Gynes infested by mermithid nematodes exhibit reduction of gyne-specific characters and altered patterns of phenotypic integration. Conclusion: The integrated character complexes described herein can largely be interpreted as functional, caste-specific modules related to behavioural ecology and task allocation within ant colonies. This modular nature of the body plan is hypothesized to facilitate the evolution of novel phenotypes and thus contributes to the tremendous evolutionary success of ants. The study of these modules can help to further elucidate the evolution and ontogeny of castes in camponotine ants, as well as the effects of parasite infestation on the phenotype.
Stichwort
Cluster analysisDivision of labourModulesMorphometryPCASocial insectsPhenotypic integration
Objekt-Typ
Sprache
Englisch [eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:1078998
Erschienen in
Titel
BMC Zoology
Band
4
Ausgabe
1
Seitenanfang
1
Seitenende
20
Verlag
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Erscheinungsdatum
2019
Zugänglichkeit
Rechteangabe
© The Author(s) 2019

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