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Title More and bigger queens: a clue to the invasive success of the Argentine ant (Hyme no - ptera: Formicidae) in natural habitats
Author Sílvia A BRIL , Mireia D ÍAZ , Martha L. E NRÍQUEZ & Crisanto G ÓMEZ
Date 2013-03
Description we provide new data on the queens' biological and physiological characteristics in Linepithema humile ( M AYR , 1868) colonies from both the invasion front (contact area) and the tota lly invaded area (invaded area) in order to ex am ine the differences between them. We analyze: 1) queen densities per liter of nest soil, 2) fat content (%), 3) oviposition rates , and 4) the queen / worker thorax volume ratios of individuals from nests si tuated in the contact and invaded zones. All these parameters are good estimators of the invasive capabilities of colonies, as they are related to dispersion speed and successful colony foundation.
Keywords Argentine ant, queen, invasive
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ID 7725