Several assumptions were proposed to explain the origin and maintenance of polygyny in ants (Keller 1995). High polygyny could be associated with (1) the loss of the ability to found a new colony without the help of workers, (2) the reduction (or even the disappearance) of colonial recognition, (3) the complete sterility of the workers.

These 3 parameters were studied in the highly polygynous ant C. sp. prox. abstinens. Our results show that :

(1) A nuptial flight occurs at the beginning of the rain season. In the field, several young mated queens were observed digging the wet soil actively. In the laboratory, young mated queens collected soon after the nuptial flight are able to initiate a new colony by claustral foundation.

(2) Despite a simple cuticular hydrocarbon profile, colonial recognition exists in this species and strong aggression can be observed between workers of distant colonies.

(3) In the absence of queen, a group of workers is able to produce fertile males.

Possible haplometrosis, workers fertility and colonial recognition are unusual characteristics in highly polygynous ants.

Keller L. (1995) Social life : the paradox of multiple-queen colonies, TREE 10, 355-360.