Blending of heritable recognition cues among ant nestmates creates distinct colony gestalt odours but prevents within‐colony nepotism

摘要: The evolution of sociality is facilitated by the recognition close kin, but if kin too accurate, nepotistic behaviour within societies can dissolve social cohesion. In insects, cuticular hydrocarbons act as nestmate cues and are usually mixed among colony members to create a Gestalt odour. Although earlier studies have established that hydrocarbon profiles influenced heritable factors, transfer nestmates additional environmental no quantified these relative contributions for separate compounds. Here, we use ant Formica rufibarbis in cross-fostering design test degree which heritably synthesized young workers transferred their foster workers. Bioassays show has significant component. Multivariate quantitative analyses based on 38 reveal subset branched alkanes synthesized, also extensively nestmates. contrast, especially linear less little transferred; therefore unlikely allow within-colony discrimination or cues. These results indicate compounds suitable establishing genetic efficient recognition, colonies insufficiently distinct discrimination.