The evolutionary significance of intra- and intercolonial variation in behavior, morphology, genetics and immuno-competence in ants

与差异生殖有关的性状的变异和遗传必然导致自然选择，从而导致进化。然而，对于许多物种来说，自然选择对特定性状的方向和强度在很大程度上是未知的。我们将调查Temnothorax蚂蚁的哪些特征是在现场选择，通过估计选择梯度的特征，如蚂蚁行为（标准化测试的侵略，探索，社会行为），工人的身体大小，杂合性，遗传多样性和免疫能力，通过特征适应度回归。在社会性昆虫中，不仅性状的平均值会在独立的进化单位--群体--之间发生变化，而且性状也会发生变化。分工已被公认为是昆虫社会生态成功的主要原因，我们将测试如何行为，遗传，免疫学和形态学的巢队友之间的变化与殖民地生产力。如果一个强有力的劳动分工是适应性的，那么具有更强的行为变异的蚁群将更有生产力。初步研究表明，殖民地一贯不同的形态和行为，殖民地内的行为变化与健身相关-人均生产力。然而，我们也可以显示环境对蚂蚁行为的影响，例如，蚂蚁群体的攻击性随着当地巢穴密度和社会寄生虫接触而增加。因此，我们的目标是确定自然选择（作用于行为背后的基因）和行为可塑性（对生态条件的反应）如何影响蚂蚁的行为。

Variation and heritability of traits connected to differential reproduction invariably leads to natural selection and hence to evolution. Yet, for many species the direction and strength of natural selection on specific traits is largely unknown. We will investigate which traits of Temnothorax ants are under selection in the field by estimating selection gradients on traits such as ant behavior (standardized tests of aggression, explorative, social behaviors), worker body size, heterozygosity, genetic diversity and immune-competence via trait-fitness regressions. In social insects, not only mean trait values can vary between independent evolutionary units – the colonies – but also variation in traits. Division of labor has been recognized as a primary cause for the ecological success of insect societies and we will test how behavioral, genetic, immunological and morphological variation among nest mates is associated with colony productivity. If a strong division of labor is adaptive, then ant colonies with stronger variation in behavior will be more productive. Preliminary studies demonstrate that colonies consistently vary in morphology and behavior and that within-colony behavioral variation is associated with a fitness correlate – per-capita-productivity. However, we could also show environmental influences on ant behavior, e.g. aggression of ant colonies increased with local nest density and social parasite contact. We therefore aim to identify how natural selection (acting on genes underlying behavior) and behavioral plasticity (a response to ecological conditions) influence ant behavior.