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Posted August 7 2024 - 10:01 AM
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one of my queens has a weird abdomen with what I am calling right now "an exaggerated petiole dent" I have no idea why she has it but it is definitely not a different species or something because I did some research on every Formica species that lives in my area and none had that "exaggerated petiole dent" 
here is a pic were you can kind of see it
here is a closer look
anyone know what is the cause like mishandling a genetic error? please tell me because I am dying to know 
Currently keeping:
1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)
1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood
1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen
As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me
(I lost braincells just to make this quote)
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Posted August 7 2024 - 10:30 AM
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Maybbbee genetic, but that's hard to tell without seeing that queen's mother. It could also be a parasite, such as a tapeworm, but I kind of doubt it. It's also possible the queen's ovaries expanded in an uneven fashion or something like that. All guesses, would need confirmation for additional proof. Anyone else know?
Currently raising:
Myrmica rubra (1 queen + ~5 workers)
Lasius niger (single queen + ~90+ workers)
Lasius neoniger (3 single queen + brood)
Formica spp. (Queen [likely parasitic, needs brood])
Formica pacifica (Queen)
Also keeping a friend's tetramorium immigrans for the foreseeable future. Thanks CoffeBlock!
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Posted August 7 2024 - 3:03 PM
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Posted August 8 2024 - 12:22 AM
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Posted August 8 2024 - 4:59 AM
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I mean to me it looks like she could have a massive petiole that can fit in there
Currently keeping:
1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)
1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood
1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen
As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me
(I lost braincells just to make this quote)
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Posted August 8 2024 - 2:44 PM
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It's just a dent, probably caused by a bump when she was on her nuptial flight or when immerging from her cacoon
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