unicolonial

A unicolonial is a type of superorganism found in some social insects, notably ants. It describes a colony that is composed of multiple physically separated nests, but all of these nests are functionally integrated and share a single, cohesive social structure. Individuals within a unicolonial system recognize nestmates regardless of which nest they originate from, and they will defend the entire unicolony against foreign colonies or individuals from other unicolonies. This contrasts with traditional colonial structures where distinct nests are often independent entities with their own queens and worker populations.

The concept of a unicolony highlights a form of extreme social integration, blurring the lines between individual nests and the superorganism as a whole. This allows for rapid expansion and resource exploitation over vast territories. Famous examples of unicolonial ants include the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) and the Asian needle ant (Brachyponera chinensis), both of which have established enormous unicolonies spanning continents. The ability of individuals from different nests to cooperate and defend a shared territory is a key characteristic. This social organization can lead to significant ecological impacts, as unicolonial species often outcompete native ant species. Research into unicoloniality focuses on understanding the genetic and behavioral mechanisms that enable such large-scale social integration.