open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/72471

Evolution of the optimal reproductive schedule in the ant Camponotus (Colobopsis) nipponicus (wheeler): a demographic approach

Reproductive schedule in an ant

英語

reproductive schedule

2018-02

John Wiley & Sons

Ecological entomology

43(1)

126-133

1. Traits are hypothesised to optimise via natural selection. The schedule of reproduction is an important adaptive trait, but its evolution is difficult to study, as measuring parameters is usually difficult. However, the sufficient amounts of demographic data enable us to estimate these parameters. 2. Here, it is shown that the reproductive schedule of the ant Camponotus (Colobopsis) nipponicus is tuned to maximise the lifetime production of alates. 3. A colony started its reproduction 4 years after the colony founding, at which time they were far smaller than well-developed colonies. This contradicts the prediction of the bang-bang strategy theory. The size distribution of colonies in the study area showed that the mortality of small colonies is much higher than that of large colonies. 4. A simulation analysis suggests that the colonies that are smaller than the threshold can still achieve significant improvement in colny survival to the following year by investing all resources in colony growth instead of reproduction. A sensitivity analysis for the starting year of reproduction showed that the observed schedule maximises lifetime alate production. The demographic data suggest a stable population, which is required for optimisation through this maximisation. 5. The observed reproductive schedule must be optimised, and the breakdown of the bang-bang theory is due to higher mortalities during the incipient stage of colonies. This study demonstrates that having enough demographic data creates a useful tool for studying the evolution of life-history characteristics.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Hasegawa, Eisuke; Watanabe, Saori; Murakami, Yuuka (2018) Evolution of the optimal reproductive schedule in the ant Camponotus (Colobopsis) nipponicus (wheeler): a demographic approach. Ecological entomology 43, 126-133.], which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12478]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

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