"Unraveling the Mystery of Tiny Ant Queens: Supergene Research Reveals Answers"
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered that the presence of tiny queens in ant colonies is controlled by supergenes, which determine the number and size of queens in the colony. These supergenes, found in the ant species Formica cinerea, play a crucial role in the social dynamics of ant colonies, potentially leading to reproductive conflicts among workers. The study suggests that the combined supergenes may help the colony expand and survive, shedding light on the evolution of social parasitism in ants.