Vestigial photoperiodic response in subarctic Myrmica ants

摘要

Studies carried out on the effects of day-length on the development of the arctic insects are probably less because the Polar day does not provide strong photoperiodic cues. In arthropods living in the subarctic zone, where photoperiodic signals are relatively more distinct, the role of day-length in the control of seasonal life cycles has been studied only by a few workers. We performed experiments on two species of Myrmica ants from two populations in the Polar Circle region, which revealed a clear-cut photoperiodic response that appeared to be 'vestigial', i.e. nonadaptive and unfit to induce diapause in proper time under natural photoperiodic conditions. [References: 14]