Broad host use and frequent polyandry in the facultative dulotic species <i>Formica aserva</i> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

ABSTRACT: The study of social parasitism faces numerous challenges arising from the intricate and intranidal host-parasite interactions and the rarity of parasites compared to their free-living counterparts. As a result, our understanding of the ecology and evolution of most social parasites remains limited. Using whole-genome and reduced-representation sequence data, we conducted a study to fill knowledge gaps on host use, colony social structure, and population genetics of the facultative dulotic ant Formica aserva Forel. Our study reveals the remarkable ability of F. aserva to exploit at least 20 different host species across its wide geographic distribution. In some cases, one social parasite colony exploits multiple hosts simultaneously, suggesting a high degree of generalization

SUBMITTER: Scarparo G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11388004 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature