We show using genetic markers that a genetically distinct cheater lineage coexists with cooperators in a field population of the parthenogenetic ant, Pristomyrmex punctatus.
The life history of P. punctatus is exceptional in that there is no reproductive division of labour: all females fulfil both reproduction and cooperative tasks.
Evolutionary biologists have questioned how such a cooperative society could be protected from the invasion of cheaters, and this study provides evidence that cheaters do exist, which is very rare in the animal kingdom.
The cheaters can be interpreted as a transmissible "social cancer" of the colony.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.
publishing.royalsociety/proceedingsb
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