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Science 3 April 1981:
Vol. 212. no. 4490, pp. 83 - 84
DOI: 10.1126/science.212.4490.83
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Articles

Dominance Hierarchies in Leptothorax Ants

BLAINE J. COLE 1

1 Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

The social organization of Leptothorax allardycei is unique among ant species thus far studied. The workers form linear dominance hierarchies characterized by routine displays of dominance, avoidance behavior, and even fighting. The high-ranking ants are favored in liquid food exchange, have greater ovarian development, and produce 20 percent of the eggs.

Submitted on April 22, 1980
Revised on October 29, 1980


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