SHORT COMMUNICATION: Unique social structure of Probolomyrmex longinodus

摘要

Colonies of Probolomyrmex longinodus collected in Yonaguni Island, the Ryukyus, Japan contained several dealate queens, only one of which was inseminated and reproduced. All queens and workers had only one ovariole per ovary. All 14 species of the subtropical and tropical ant genus Probolomyrmex are rare ants and their ecology has been poorly investigated (Taylor 1965; Ito 1998). Recently, Ito (1998) reported colony composition and foraging behavior of Probolomyrmex dammernami Wheeler in Indonesia. The colonies of P. dammernami have single dealate inseminated queens and represent a typical monogynous society with winged reproductives in both sexes. In this paper, we report another social structure in the Probolomyrmex, suggesting a staying strategyof new queens.