Ovarian maturation under cold winter conditions in a high-mountain ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
1997
Fernandez Escudero, I. | Tinaut, A. | Ruano, F.
A study of the reproductive biology of Proformica longiseta Collingwood, a high-mountain ant, focused on the ovarian development of the queen and the annual development of the brood. Despite the brevity of the active period (<4 mo), larvae complete their development in 1 season, entering winter as adults; consequently, the colony hibernates without brood. We studied the different phases of ovarian development and their relationship to the annual development of the brood as well as with abiotic conditions. The most striking finding is that after egg laying, the ovarioles recuperate slowly over the hibernation period at temperatures of nearly 1 degree C, becoming fully developed ovaries capable of oviposition by the onset of the active period. We interpret this response as being an adaptation to a short active period as well as a compensation for the absence of a brood during the winter. This situation has not been described in other species of ants.
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