Diacamma rugosum

Diacamma rugosum, also known as the Bornean queenless ant, is a species of ant of the subfamily Ponerinae. It is found in many countries throughout Southeast Asia. 20 subspecies are recognized.[1]

Diacamma rugosum
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Genus:	Diacamma
Species:	D. rugosum
Binomial name
Diacamma rugosum (Le Guillou, 1842)
Synonyms
Diacamma bispinosum saussurei Forel, 1922 Diacamma japensis Donisthorpe, 1941 Diacamma rugosum geminatum Emery, 1897 Diacamma rugosum smithi Donisthorpe, 1943 Diacamma vagans frontalis Stitz, 1911 Diacamma vagans papuanum Stitz, 1911 Ponera geometrica Smith, F., 1857 Ponera sculpturata Smith, F., 1859 Ponera striata Smith, F., 1860 Ponera tortuolosa Smith, F., 1863 Ponera vagans Smith, F., 1860 Ponera versicolor Smith, F., 1857

Diacamma rugosum is noted for being one of the only species of ants to completely lack a queen caste. Reproduction is done entirely by workers, with all workers being fertile upon birth.[2] However, reproduction is kept strictly under control in the nest, with only one dominant female, or gamergate, laying all of the eggs. The gamergate will render workers sterile by mutilating their vestigial wing buds as soon as they pupate.[3] These infertile workers, called callows, will remain loyal to the present gamergate and allow her to exercise control over the rest of the workers.[4] This works to reduce colony infighting as it makes usurpation virtually impossible, and the only time the gamergate is replaced is if she dies naturally.