3 replies to this topic

[Temperateants]

I saw a video on Kurzgesagt on how invasive species have a smaller gene pool, so they have more similar pheremones which decreases competition between fellow colonies and even allows for polygene colonies. Hypothetically, if you have like 60 mature colonies of a species, and you breed them. Then, you grow the queens into mature colonies. If you have distant cousin colonies, would they be able to merge? In addition, I saw Antsaus video on how meatant colonies can actually support founding queens that are daughters of the original colonies.

[ForestDragon]

I feel like it would depend on species and how many colonies they originate from, I'm no entemologist but I know genetics to a point, Genetic relatedness should have an effect on creating polygnous colonies of a normally non polygnous species

[Temperateants]

I'd say you could try this with fast growing colonies that can reach sexual maturity within a year or so. I was talking about starting with 60 genetically distinct queens, and then slowly breed them, so then the offspring are all slightly related. 

[ForestDragon]

breeding might be tough, captive breeding is really difficult few have done it, but you could give it a try