Caste-polymorphism

Guides

• Camponotus discolor

  Bicolored Arboreal Carpenter Ant

  Camponotus discolor is a carpenter ant species native to the eastern and central United States and adjacent Mexico. It exhibits the typical caste polymorphism of the genus, with distinct queen, worker, and male forms. The species has been studied for its genetic basis of caste differentiation, revealing that novel and highly modified genes play a major role in worker development.

  carpenter-antcaste-polymorphismarborealgene-expressionsocial-insectMyrmobrachys-group

• Cephalotes varians

  Northern Caribbean Turtle Ant, turtle ant

  Cephalotes varians is a strongly polyphenic turtle ant with three distinct female castes: small-bodied minor workers, larger phragmotic soldiers with shield-shaped heads used as living doors to block nest entrances, and reproductive gynes. The species exhibits gliding behavior, steering falls from trees using aerodynamic control. Native to the Neotropical region, it has been documented in the Florida Keys and listed as adventive in North America. Brain structure differs markedly among castes, with minor workers possessing disproportionately larger mushroom bodies associated with learning and memory, while soldiers and gynes have enlarged optic lobes.

  gliding-antphragmotic-soldierturtle-antcaste-polymorphismbrain-evolutionarborealmangroveFlorida-Keys

• Colobopsis mississippiensis

  Mississippi Gate-keeper Ant

  Colobopsis mississippiensis is a species of ant in the genus Colobopsis, first described by Smith in 1923. It belongs to a group of ants commonly known as "gate-keeper ants" or "doorkeeper ants," characterized by specialized major workers with enlarged, plug-shaped heads used to block nest entrances. The species is native to North America, with records from the Mississippi region implied by its specific epithet. Like other members of the Colobopsis cylindrica group, it exhibits caste polymorphism with distinct worker morphologies adapted for different colony functions.

  FormicidaeFormicinaeCamponotinigate-keeper-antdoorkeeper-antcaste-polymorphismNorth-AmericaMississippiplug-shaped-headnest-defensemajor-workerminor-worker

• Crematogaster

  Acrobat Ants, Cocktail Ants, Saint Valentine Ants

  Crematogaster is a large, ecologically diverse genus of ants with over 520 described species distributed worldwide. The genus is characterized by a distinctive heart-shaped gaster that can be raised forward over the thorax and head when alarmed, a behavior that has earned them the common names "cocktail ants" and "acrobat ants." Most species are arboreal, though some are ground-nesting. They exhibit complex social behaviors including cooperative hunting, trail-based recruitment, and defensive venom spraying.

  antsFormicidaemyrmecophytismarborealpredatoryvenomoustrail-layingmutualismglobal-distributionsocial-insectscaste-polymorphismalternative-reproductionacrobat-antscocktail-antsSaint-Valentine-ants

• Cyphomyrmex

  fungus-growing ants

  Cyphomyrmex is a genus of small, drab-colored fungus-growing ants in the tribe Attini, found primarily in the Neotropics. These ants cultivate fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae as their primary food source, with most species growing fungal nodules rather than full mycelial gardens. Colonies are typically monogynous and small, rarely exceeding 500 workers. The genus is divided into two species complexes: the strigatus complex (South America only) and the rimosus complex (southern North America to South America). Cyphomyrmex represents a basal lineage among attine ants and serves as sister group to Mycetophylax.

  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• Temnothorax rugatulus

  Western Acorn Ant

  Temnothorax rugatulus is a small myrmicine ant species native to western North America, notable for its sophisticated collective decision-making behaviors and remarkable polymorphism in queen size. The species exhibits two distinct queen morphs: large macrogynes associated with single-queen (monogynous) colonies, and smaller microgynes found in multiple-queen (polygynous) colonies. This species has become an important model organism for studying social insect behavior, communication, and the molecular mechanisms underlying caste determination and phenotypic plasticity.

  model-organismsocial-insectbehavioral-ecologycollective-decision-makingcaste-polymorphismepigeneticsalarm-communicationquorum-sensingcavity-nesting-antwestern-North-America

• Zootermopsis

  dampwood termites

  Zootermopsis is a genus of dampwood termites in the family Archotermopsidae, containing four extant and one extinct species native to western North America. These termites inhabit decaying wood in temperate rain forests, where they digest cellulose with the aid of symbiotic gut protists and bacteria. The genus exhibits complex social organization with distinct castes including reproductives, soldiers, and pseudergates. Species identification relies on subsidiary tooth morphology in non-soldier castes, a more reliable method than soldier-based characteristics.

  Isopteradampwood-termitesocial-insectwood-decaytemperate-rainforestprotist-symbiosiscaste-polymorphismepigeneticsNorth-AmericaJapan-introduced