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Psyche 
[Vol. 89 
Table 1. Number and Percent of Nests of L. ambiguus, L. curvispinosus, and 
L. longispinosus Containing 0, 1, or More Than 1 Queen 
Number of 
Queens 
L. 
ambiguus 
L. 
curvispinosus 
L. 
longispinosus 
Total 
0 
453 (29.7%) 
177 (36.3%) 
237 (37.0%) 
867 (32.7%) 
1 
765 (50.3%) 
228 (46.7%) 
311 (48.6%) 
1304 (49.2%) 
More than 1 
304(20.1%) 
83(17.0%) 
92(14.4%) 
479 (18.1%) 
Total 
1522 (100.0%) 
488 (100.0%) 
640(100.0%) 
2650(100.0%) 
which matured from queenless and queenright nests of the three 
species collected in the early spring and then cultured in the labora- 
tory. Once again, many queenless nests produced female pupae. 
Discussion 
First, we want to stress that variability in the number of queens in 
nests of L. curvispinosus and L. longispinosus, first noted by Head- 
ley (1943) and Talbot (1957), is not a local or transitory pheno- 
menon and note that the number of queens in nests of L. ambiguus 
is also quite variable. However, of far greater importance is the large 
proportion of queenless nests of all three species which produce 
female (as well as male) pupae. This fact raised questions about the 
possible existence of ergatomorphic reproductives and polydomy. 
Polygyny and Worker Fertility 
To demonstrate that a species of ant is facultatively polygynous, 
one must show that two or more fertile inseminated females can 
coexist in nests. Headley (1943) and Talbot (1957) reported the 
occurrence of multiple queens in some nests of L. curvispinosus and 
L. longispinosus. However, these authors did not determine whether 
more than one queen was inseminated and egg-laying. Wilson 
(1974a, b) observed several multiple-queen nests of L. curvispinosus 
and reported that all the queens laid eggs. However, as we shall 
show, uninseminated queens and workers sometimes lay eggs. Thus, 
the question of the occurrence of polygyny involving fertile in- 
seminated queens remained open. In addition, the production of 
female pupae in many queenless nests of L. ambiguus, L. curvispino- 
sus, and L, longispinosus suggested, as one possibility, the hypothe- 
sis that these species might possess frequent ergatomorphic female 
reproductives. 
