The evolution of ant worker polymorphism correlates with multiple social traits

In eusocial insects, worker polymorphism is shaped by several factors, including colony size, queen mating frequency, and the timing of queen-worker differentiation during larval development. a comparative study 18 species Cataglyphis desert ants representing wide range sizes, we used phylogenetically controlled analyses to examine correlations between head width variation (i.e., polymorphism) multiple social traits, namely, mature mean width, dimorphism, within-colony genetic relatedness, resulting from queens. We found that was positively correlated with width. contrast, not dimorphism relatedness. These results underscore evolution traits are correlated. They also illustrate additional research using multivariate approaches needed further clarify insect societies. morphological tightly linked division labor. Multiple factors supposed shape polymorphism. Using ants, show correlates size. highlight Identifying mechanisms underlying these relationships could provide major insights into development