Impact of social environment on the fat body development of worker ants

Abstract

In ants, colonies are composed of one or a few queens and many female, but usually sterile, workers. The reproductive capability of workers is inhibited by the queen. In the ant genus, Camponotus, workers can develop the capacity to lay eggs in the absence of the queen. Large workers, termed soldiers, show the greatest tendency to deposit yolk and lay eggs. The insect fat body is the site of synthesis of proteins used in reproduction, most notably vitellogenin. In this study, we compare the development of fat body in soldiers that have been maintained in the presence of the queen (Q+) with those that have been removed from her inhibitory influence (Q-).Just before the adult molt, pupae were removed from C. festinatus parent colonies maintained in the laboratory. After emergence, individuals were divided into two groups. Q- individuals were maintained in petri dishes in groups of 25-30 in the absence of the queen. Q+ workers were marked and immediately returned to the parent colony.