PT Journal
AU Martin, J
   Roux, O
   Groc, S
   Dejean, A
TI A type of unicoloniality within the native range of the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima
SO Comptes Rendus Biologies
JI C. R. Biol.
PY 2011
BP 307
EP 310
VL 334
IS 4
DE Ants; Solenopsis saevissima; Native range; Unicoloniality
AB To determine if a type of unicoloniality exists in the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima in its native range, we conducted intraspecific aggressiveness tests in French Guiana between workers originating from 15 human-disturbed sites. We identified two "colonial groups" spread over 54 km and 12.5 km, respectively. Workers from the same group never attacked each other, but inter-group confrontations resulted in a high level of aggressiveness. These large "colonial groups" enhances the threat occasioned by S. saevissima for both agriculture and the environment. (C) 2011 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
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