Introduction
Ants are a social species of insect that live in large colonies. They are highly organised and structured, with a clearly dividing line between worker ants and those that are used for reproduction. Of the reproductive ants, males and females are required in order to reproduce sexually. In some species of ants, queens are required in order for the colony to reproduce. The complex process of how ants reproduce sexually is known as ‘harem polygyny’, a mating system where one male mates with multiple females.
The Process
The process begins when young queen ants fly away from their home colony in order to establish a new colony. During the process of flight, they can be fertilised by multiple males from other colonies, leading to the fertilisation of both eggs and sperm, forming a haploid zygote. This zygote will then divide and form an embryo, which will develop into a new ant.
If the queen ant has mated with multiple males, the fertilised eggs will carry different combinations of genetic material, meaning that some of the new ants may not look alike. This process of genetic variation is known as polygenic inheritance and it helps to contribute to the biodiversity of the species as a whole.
The Mechanics of Mating
Before mating, male ants will release a pheromone that will attract potential mates. If the queen ant is in the vicinity, she may become attracted to the smell and move towards the male ant. The male ant will then use his antennae to ‘taste’ the queen ant in order to make sure that she is a suitable partner. If the queen ant is deemed to be suitable, the male ant will then release a spermatophore, which is a structure composed of sperm and enzymes that can be used to fertilise the queen ant’s eggs.
To assist in fertilisation, male ants also have two sets of sexual organs. One set is known as ‘gonopods’ and this is used to transfer sperm to the female ant. The other set of sexual organs, known as ‘claspers’, is used to hold onto the female ant while the sperm is transferred, ensuring that the sperm is able to reach the female egg.
The Role of Oviposition
After mating has been successful, the queen ant will start to lay eggs. These eggs are fertilised by the sperm that was transferred from the male and will then develop into larvae, which will grow into adult ants. The role of the queen ant is to feed and nurture these larvae as they grow and develop into mature ants. However, in some species of ant, the queen ant may inhabit the nest and lay eggs without fertilisation from a male, known as ‘parthenogenesis’, which is a form of asexual reproduction.
The Effect of Environmental Conditions
The reproductive process of ants can vary depending on the environmental conditions. For example, in species such as the European honey bee, the reproductive cycle is affected by the ambient temperature. If the temperature is too cold, reproductive activity will cease as the queens will not fly to mate with any males.
Additionally, if a colony is threatened, the queen may lay unfertilised eggs in order to create more workers. This process, known as ‘thelytoky’, can be used to increase the number of workers as unfertilised eggs will develop into female workers, who are more useful than males in defending the nest.
The Result
Once the eggs have been laid and nurtured, the larvae will emerge and be welcomed into the colony. The colony will then be repopulated with members of the new generation, who will be able to carry out important tasks such as foraging for food, and defending the nest from any predators. This process allows the colony to survive and thrive, as well as ensuring that the species as a whole will continue to survive in spite of environmental and external pressures.
Adaptive Strategies
In some species of ant, the queen and her eggs are kept separate from the rest of the colony, as it is a more efficient and adaptive use of the limited space and resources. The queen and her offspring are provided for and given special attention in order to ensure their survival and healthy growth. In some cases, the worker ants may even sacrifice their own lives in order to protect the queen and her eggs from danger.
In other species, the larvae are kept separate from the colony as part of an adaptive strategy for survival. Because larvae are more vulnerable to predators, they are kept in different parts of the nest or even discarded in other areas in order to ensure their safety. This means that there is less of a risk to the colony as a whole, as they will not be put at risk if the larvae become endangered.
Sexual Selection
In some species of ants, sexual selection plays a role in the reproductive process. This is because males that are more attractive or have more desirable characteristics may be chosen as mates over males with less desirable traits. For example, in the species of ant known as the red wood ant, males have black heads and red abdomens in order to appear more attractive to potential mates. This then increases their chances of being chosen as a mate and thus increases the chances of their genetic material being passed on to the next generation.
Reproduction Across Colonies
In some contexts, ants in different colonies may also interbreed in order to increase genetic diversity. This process, known as ‘colony fusion’, can help to keep the colony healthy by introducing new traits and characteristics, as well as increasing their ability to adapt to different environmental pressures. This process is especially common in ant species that have multiple queens, as the colony may decide to accept queens from different colonies in order to increase their chances of survival.
Conclusion
Reproduction is a complex and vital process in the life of ants. In order to reproduce sexually, the queen ant must be fertilised by multiple males and then lay the eggs, which are then developed into larvae. The queen is responsible for nurturing the larvae and ensuring their survival, and the worker ants are responsible for foraging for food and defending the nest. Sexual selection can also play a role in how ants reproduce, as males with desirable traits can be chosen as mates over less attractive males. Finally, ants in different colonies may also interbreed in order to increase genetic diversity and ensure their survival in the face of environmental threats.
