biostudies-literatureErrbii MDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftUniversität Münster109https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11089791biostudies-literatureUnknown22(1)<h4>Background</h4>Social insects vary considerably in their social organization both between and within species. In the California harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex californicus (Buckley 1867), colonies are commonly founded and headed by a single queen (haplometrosis, primary monogyny). However, in some populations in California (USA), unrelated queens cooperate not only during founding (pleometrosis) but also throughout the life of the colony (primary polygyny). The genetic architecture and evolutionary dynamics of this complex social niche polymorphism (haplometrosis vs pleometrosis) have remained unknown.<h4>Results</h4>We provide a first analysis of its genomic basis and evolutionary history using population genomics comparing individuals from a haplometrotic population to those from a pleoBMC biologyEvolutionary genomics of socially polymorphic populations of Pogonomyrmex californicus.PMC11089791396780988316099922403813881 (SCHR 1554/2-1)Privman EGadau JSchrader LLajmi AErrbii MErnst URfalseEvolutionary genomics of socially polymorphic populations of Pogonomyrmex californicus.<h4>Background</h4>Social insects vary considerably in their social organization both between and within species. In the California harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex californicus (Buckley 1867), colonies are commonly founded and headed by a single queen (haplometrosis, primary monogyny). However, in some populations in California (USA), unrelated queens cooperate not only during founding (pleometrosis) but also throughout the life of the colony (primary polygyny). The genetic architecture and evolutionary dynamics of this complex social niche polymorphism (haplometrosis vs pleometrosis) have remained unknown.<h4>Results</h4>We provide a first analysis of its genomic basis and evolutionary history using population genomics comparing individuals from a haplometrotic population to those from a pleo2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 May2026-06-03T03:58:07.86Z2026-04-24T03:09:48.788ZS-EPMC110897913873594210.1186/s12915-024-01907-z