Ecology and Evolution of Caste and Polymorphism in Pogonomyrmex Seed Harvester Ants
Smith, Christopher R.
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/87907
Description
Title
Ecology and Evolution of Caste and Polymorphism in Pogonomyrmex Seed Harvester Ants
Author(s)
Smith, Christopher R.
Issue Date
2008
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Andrew Suarez
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Entomology
Language
eng
Abstract
In conclusion, the many independent origins of caste in the social insects likely resulted from variation in the proximate factors that can yield phenotypic differences (e.g., larval diet, genetic variation, social regulation) and variation in the selective pressures favoring caste differentiation (e.g., foraging, defense, storage). Caste differences were likely selected for different adaptive reasons in different taxa, and these were in turn accommodated by taxon specific mechanisms of varying developmental pathways in order to produce phenotypic variation.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
