The Evolution of Invasiveness in Garden Ants

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003838
• Publication Date: 2008-12-02T23:16:00Z
• Authors: Sylvia Cremer; Line V. Ugelvig; Falko P. Drijfhout; Birgit C. Schlick...; Florian M. Steiner; Bernhard Seifert; David P. Hughes; Andreas Schulz; Klaus S. Petersen; Heino Konrad; Christian Stauffer; Kadri Kiran; Xavier Espadaler; Patrizia d'Ettorre; Nihat Aktaç; Jørgen Eilenberg; Graeme R. Jones; David R. Nash; Jes S. Pedersen; Jacobus J. Boomsma
• Keywords: Coevolution; Lasius

It is unclear why some species become successful invaders whilst others fail, and whether invasive success depends on pre-adaptations already present in the native range or characters evolving de-novo after introduction. Ants are among worst pests, with Lasius neglectus its rapid spread through Europe Asia as most recent example of a pest ant that may global problem. Here, we first integrated study behavior, morphology, population genetics, chemical recognition parasite load L. non-invasive sister turcicus. We find expresses same supercolonial syndrome other ants, social system characterized by mating without dispersal large networks cooperating nests rather than smaller mutually hostile colonies. conclude relies combination parasite-release following introduction system, body-size, queen number efficiency evolved long before Our results challenge notion organization an inevitable consequence low genetic variation for cues small founder populations. infer limited volatility cuticular hydrocarbon profiles existed highly viscous structure. Human transport to relatively disturbed urban areas thus became decisive factor induce release, well established general promoter invasiveness non-social animals plants, but understudied insects.