Static allometries of caste-associated traits vary with genotype but not environment in the clonal raider ant.

ABSTRACT: Polyphenic traits in animals often exhibit nonlinear scaling with body size. Static allometries (i.e., scaling relationships) themselves can exhibit plasticity, such that individuals of the same size and genotype differ in body proportions across different environments. In ants, both larval environment and genotype regulate the expression of caste-associated traits, including body size and ovariole number. However, it remains untested whether caste-associated traits are independently regulated by environmental variables or whether they covary due to coupled developmental mechanisms. If caste traits are regulated independently, developmental plasticity should affect both trait expression and the scaling relationships between traits. Using the clonal raider ant, Ooceraea biroi, we tes

SUBMITTER: Piekarski PK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12318203 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature