RESEARCH: Nestmate Discrimination in Social Insects

In social insects, systems for nestmate recognition are often well developed, allowing colony boundaries to be maintained with high fidelity. Because social insect colonies are typically comprised of related individuals, non-reproductives gain inclusive fitness by preferentially helping nestmates. Cues used to distinguish nestmates from non-nestmates may be environmentally derived, innate (genetically based), or a combination of both. In collaboration with Neil Tsutsui (at UC Irvine) and Dangsheng Liang, I am currently using genetic and biochemical approaches to investigate the mechanisms underlying nestmate recognition in Argentine ants. Cuticular hydrocarbons are recognized as the most likely label used to distinguish nestmates from non-nestmates in ants. However, experiments that examine the relative contributions of genetic versus environmental factors to hydrocarbon variation are lacking. Argentine ants provide a powerful system for exploring the genetic and biochemical basis of social behavior because they are easily collected and maintained in the lab, and can therefore be used for controlled and replicated experiments. Moreover, Argentine ants (like many invasive ants) exhibit remarkable variability in colony structure both within their native range and between native and introduced populations, allowing for comparative studies within species.

• Mechanisms of success in biological invasions
• Impacts of biological invasions
• How different animal taxa respond to habitat fragmentation