Abstract
Multiple mating (i.e., polyandry) by queens in social Hymenoptera is expected to weaken social cohesion since it lowers within-colony relatedness, and hence, indirect fitness benefits from kin selection. Yet, there are many species where queens mate multiply. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the evolution and maintenance of polyandry. Here,we investigated the ‘sperm limitation’ and the ‘diploid male load’ hypotheses in the ant Cataglyphis cursor. Genetic analyses of mother-offspring combinations showed that queens mate with up to 8 males, with an effective mating frequency of 3.79. Significant paternity skew (unequal contribution of the fathers) was detected in 1 out of 5 colonies. The amount of sperm stored in the spermatheca was not correlated with the queen mating frequency, and males carry on average enough sperm in their seminal vesicles to fill one queen’s spermatheca. Analyses of the nuclear DNA-content of males also revealed that all were haploid. These results suggest that the ‘sperm limitation’ and the ‘diploid male load’ hypotheses are unlikely to account for the queen mating frequency reported in this ant. In light of our results and the life-history traits of C. cursor, we discuss alternative hypotheses to account for the adaptive significance of multiple mating by queens in this species.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
