15 replies to this topic

[CoolColJ]

One of my Pheidole colonies, some generic 8mm all black queen Australian species seems to be trimorphic, with a super major caste!

Didn't expect that since the majors grow so fast in this species, and only around 30 workers....
I half suspected that there would a super major caste, as the first major grew so fast and was pupating at around 20 workers, but was also smaller than expected.

Hmmm so yeah probably won't be selling this colony - it's like hitting the jackpot since 99% of Pheidole species are bimorphic

click to enlarge


Hard to get a good comparison between the 2 majors as the test tube is really dirty, but you can see the head of the second major is clearly much larger

Edited by CoolColJ, October 2 2018 - 4:39 PM.

[Ant Broski]

Nice photos. What camera do you use?

[CoolColJ]

Nice photos. What camera do you use?

thanks, Panasonic G85, with Pana Leica 45mm or Olympus 60mm macro lens, EBay 10mm lens extension tube, external flash

[Nare]

Gonna have to get this species ID'd then - I assume you haven't ID'd them because it's difficult?

[CoolColJ]

Gonna have to get this species ID'd then - I assume you haven't ID'd them because it's difficult?

There are so few species in Australia that have a name to them, so I haven't really bothered to do so.

I have never seen an all black queen Pheidole here, it's quite rare.
It's usually some variant of all red, red brown or red headed with black body.
So when I first got this queen it made me curious because it was all black.
And then when the first smaller major popped up so fast, like weeks before any of my other Pheidole species had a major it raised my suspicion something was different here
And I was proved right!

[CoolColJ]

also the first smaller major acts like a replete, big bloated gaster.
Remains to be seen if the super major will also do the same, at least when their young in age

[Major]

Stop bragging.

[YsTheAnt]

I don't think this is a trimorphic species. The size difference is only about 2mm, and I know for a fact that as Pheidole colonies get older they produce larger majors, but I'm fairly sure this isn't a third caste. Trimorphic species have a very prominent difference between the castes, I don't see this here.

I may be wrong though, so take this with a grain of salt.

[CoolColJ]

I don't think this is a trimorphic species. The size difference is only about 2mm, and I know for a fact that as Pheidole colonies get older they produce larger majors, but I'm fairly sure this isn't a third caste. Trimorphic species have a very prominent difference between the castes, I don't see this here.

I may be wrong though, so take this with a grain of salt.

The head shape and gaster is so different though.
The new major has a much larger head, and smaller gaster.
The length difference is blunted a bit a bit due to the first major being a replete, so her gaster is larger than normal

Some species have a medial caste that doesn't even look like a major

Edited by CoolColJ, October 3 2018 - 8:31 PM.

[CoolColJ]

this is what the first major's gaster looked like when she was a day old



later when used as a replete

[YsTheAnt]

I mean, it is quite possible. I wouldn't draw any conclusions till you get more majors to compare though. Shouldn't be to long with a colony growing that fast though ! Will be following this.

Edited by YsTheAnt, October 4 2018 - 4:48 PM.

[CoolColJ]

Well I know so far, that the new major is not being used as a replete like the first one is, so the castes do have different roles in the colony.

[CoolColJ]

Dirty test tube makes it hard to get clear photos -

but look at how different the two majors look, size, colour, texture.
Botha re used as repletes but the older and smaller major, not much older, gets to go out and forage and tear things apart.
The larger one stays home with the brood, it won't even attack any food brought to the brood

click to enlarge


vs minor

[CoolColJ]

next major larvae has shown up - we shall see 

[FSTP]

Man those Majors look sooo ungainly

[CoolColJ]

A little bit of footage of the colony
Quality is not great... might put a better Youtube verison later

https://www.instagra.../p/BpnQp6PF-kr/