Ecology and Evolution of Caste and Polymorphism in Pogonomyrmex Seed Harvester Ants

In conclusion, the many independent origins of caste in the social insects likely resulted from variation in the proximate factors that can yield phenotypic differences (e.g., larval diet, genetic variation, social regulation) and variation in the selective pressures favoring caste differentiation (e.g., foraging, defense, storage). Caste differences were likely selected for different adaptive reasons in different taxa, and these were in turn accommodated by taxon specific mechanisms of varying developmental pathways in order to produce phenotypic variation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Christopher R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Andrew Suarez

• Biology, Entomology

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3314899

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/87907