On the origin of slaves in dulotic ant societies

Abstract

Recent experimental research on ant species of the Formica rufa-group has shown signs of early olfactory learning in the ontogeny of cocoon nursing behaviour. On the contrary, similar research on Lasias niger L. has demonstrated that cocoon recognition and care are unrelated to early experience acquired by the young workers. This phenomenon appears to be due to the clear prevalence of innate components in the behaviour studied. On the basis of these experiments and of the present knowledge of such behaviour in these insects, it is possible to assume that in natural dulotic ant societies only the species exhibiting early learning can become slaves. © 1980 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.