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<p>Workers in the ant subfamily Ponerinae rarely exhibit substantial morphological variation and little is known if the variation that does exist is related to behavioral specialization. We tested the hypothesis that morphological variation is related to behavioral differences among workers in the trap-jaw ant <i>Odontomachus chelifer</i> Latreille, 1802. To test this hypothesis, we collected morphometric data to assess whether there were distinct groups of workers based on morphological differences. Next, we looked for evidence of specialization in the allocation of tasks. We found evidence for two worker subcastes in <i>O. chelifer</i>, based on subtle morphological and behavioral differences. In addition, larger individuals (major workers) more frequency exhibited agonistic behaviors, which may indicate dominance of major workers in relation to minor workers. Our hypothesis was therefore supported, with two groups of workers differing in morphology and behavior. Further studies on subcaste variation in the subfamily Ponerinae may shed light on the evolution of division of labor among workers in ants.</p>

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Subtle morphological and behavioral differentiation in workers of a ponerine ant, Odontomachus chelifer (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月17日

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  • Ingrid de Carvalho Guimarães,
  • Márlon César Pereira,
  • Poliana Galvão dos Santos,
  • Candida Anitta Pereira Rodrigues,
  • Sidnei Eduardo Lima-Junior,
  • William Fernando Antonialli-Junior

摘要

Workers in the ant subfamily Ponerinae rarely exhibit substantial morphological variation and little is known if the variation that does exist is related to behavioral specialization. We tested the hypothesis that morphological variation is related to behavioral differences among workers in the trap-jaw ant Odontomachus chelifer Latreille, 1802. To test this hypothesis, we collected morphometric data to assess whether there were distinct groups of workers based on morphological differences. Next, we looked for evidence of specialization in the allocation of tasks. We found evidence for two worker subcastes in O. chelifer, based on subtle morphological and behavioral differences. In addition, larger individuals (major workers) more frequency exhibited agonistic behaviors, which may indicate dominance of major workers in relation to minor workers. Our hypothesis was therefore supported, with two groups of workers differing in morphology and behavior. Further studies on subcaste variation in the subfamily Ponerinae may shed light on the evolution of division of labor among workers in ants.