Polygyne

Polygyne, in the context of social insects, refers to a colony that harbors multiple queens at the same time. This state contrasts with monogyne colonies, which are headed by a single queen. Polygyne forms are observed across several eusocial groups, most notably ants, but also in some bees and wasps. In ants, polygyny can occur within a species as alternative social forms in different populations; in invasive species such as the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) and the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), colonies frequently contain many queens, sometimes forming large networks or supercolonies.

Implications of polygyny include changes to the genetic structure of the colony. Worker relatedness is typically lower than in monogynous colonies, which can influence social behavior and division of labor. Polygyny can enhance colony growth, reproduction, and resilience to queen loss, and may facilitate rapid expansion and invasiveness. However, it can also lead to competition among queens and, in some lineages, higher risks of inbreeding or reduced efficiency in kin-based coordination.

Diagnosis and study of polygyne colonies rely on direct observation and nest dissections to count queens, as well as genetic methods such as microsatellite analysis to estimate relatedness and effective queen number. Research on polygyny seeks to understand the ecological and evolutionary factors that favor multiple queens, including habitat stability, resource availability, mating systems, and the life history strategies of the species involved.