5 replies to this topic

[aznphenom]

For Gamergate species, can you just remove a worker and that worker would start a new colony?

 

EDIT: Seems like one can. At least with Harpegnathos

https://www.earth.co...orker-to-queen/

https://www.antwiki....ig_Nawi_'98.pdf

Edited by aznphenom, April 10 2023 - 11:25 AM.

[antsinvirgina]

For Gamergate species, can you just remove a worker and that worker would start a new colony?

(I'm not a professional) 

for gamergate species, a male has to mate with a worker to make that worker the new "queen"

so if the worker that was removed, is mated than I guess that worker or "queen" can start a new colony. 

 

 

 

Call me out if I'm wrong 

Edited by antsinvirgina, April 10 2023 - 7:34 AM.

[VenomousBeast]

 

For Gamergate species, can you just remove a worker and that worker would start a new colony?

(I'm not a professional) 

for gamergate species, a male has to mate with a worker to make that worker the new "queen"

so if the worker that was removed, is mated than I guess that worker or "queen" can start a new colony. 

 

 

 

Call me out if I'm wrong 

 

You're exactly right bro. Gamergates are just mated workers. That means mating has to occur in order for that worker to start a new colony. In some species, several workers will fight for that right, others they have a node on them that is typically removed after eclosing that allows a worker to mate, and in others the nestmates elect whoever is the most fertile as the next gamergate. It depends on species and sometimes region. 

[Talabason]

No that wouldn’t work. I have read that the gamergate when alive will cut off reproductive gland for the workers that emerge so they will not become fertile. Once the gamergate dies however that process is stopped and future workers can become gamergates after mating with males

Edited by Talabason, April 11 2023 - 6:49 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

No that wouldn’t work. I have read that the gamergate when alive will cut off reproductive gland for the workers that emerge so they will not become fertile. Once the gamergate dies however that process is stopped and future workers can become gamergates after mating with males

The gemmae and their removal in non-gamergate workers is exclusive to Diacamma. All other species with gamergates don't have any physical difference limiting a workers ability to become a gamergate, though they often are regulated through other means like pheromones from the current queen(s) or gamergate(s).

To answer the original question, no. Even if the worker were mated, they wouldn't be able to found a new colony on their own like a queen could. Species that only have gamergates reproduce via colony fission, when a chunk of the colony splits off and takes a gamergate with them.

[ICE_Age_2]

For Gamergate species, can you just remove a worker and that worker would start a new colony?

 

EDIT: Seems like one can. At least with Harpegnathos

https://www.earth.co...orker-to-queen/

https://www.antwiki....ig_Nawi_'98.pdf

dawg, ants like Diacamma have gamergates but even if you catch the gamergate it will still not make a colony. Diacamma and other gamergate species create new colonies through fission or tandem running

Edited by ICE_Age_2, April 14 2023 - 6:46 PM.