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Wood ant queen has no egg-laying monopoly

06-27-2007 · EurekAlert!

Insect queens were thought to have an egg-laying monopoly, but nine wood ant species revealed widespread reproductive activity by worker ants. Genetic analysis showed that as many as one in four eggs were laid by workers. Workers in many insect species can lay unfertilized male eggs, but usually workers in large colonies enforce the exclusive reproduction of the queen.

Keywords: wood, ant, queen, egg-laying, monopoly, egg, laying

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