The morphological structures of organisms form tightly integrated but mutually independent character complexes (modules) linked through common development and function. Even though their abundance, diversity, and complex caste systems make camponotine ants ideal subjects to research developmental modularity and phenotypic integration, no studies investigating these phenomena have been conducted in this taxonomic group. This study attempts to identify and visualize integrated character complexes in 14 taxa from the genera Camponotus and Colobopsis using statistical analyses of morphometry. The identified modules differ between castes: Minor workers have small heads and long extremities, while major workers have enlarged heads modified for defence, and short, thick appendages; extremities (legs and antennae) are strongly correlated in both worker castes. Gynes show weaker integration of extremities, but a strong correlation of mesosoma and eyes, and highly variable median ocellus size. Gynes infested by mermithid nematodes exhibit reduction of gyne-specific characters and altered patterns of phenotypic integration. The integrated character complexes described herein can largely be interpreted as functional, caste-specific modules related to behavioural ecology and task allocation within ant colonies. This modular nature of the body plan is hypothesized to facilitate the evolution of novel phenotypes and thus contributes to the tremendous evolutionary success of ants. The study of these modules can help to further elucidate the evolution and ontogeny of castes in camponotine ants, as well as the effects of parasite infestation on the phenotype.

中文翻译：

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蚁族Camponotini（膜翅目，,科）中的种姓特定形态模块

生物的形态结构形成紧密整合但相互独立的特征复合物（模块），它们通过共同的发育和功能联系在一起。尽管它们的丰富，多样性和复杂的种姓制度使喜树碱蚂蚁成为研究发展模块性和表型整合的理想对象，但尚未在该分类学类别中进行调查这些现象的研究。这项研究试图通过形态计量学的统计分析，识别和可视化来自Camponotus和Colobopsis属的14个类群中的综合特征复合体。不同种姓的识别模块有所不同：未成年工工人的头部较小，肢端较长，而大工工人的头部较大，为防御而改建，肢体短而粗。肢体（腿和触角）在两个工人等​​级中都密切相关。Gynes显示四肢的融合较弱，但间皮瘤与眼睛的相关性很强，并且卵母细胞中位值高度可变。受节肢动物线虫侵染的妇科表现出妇科特异性特征的减少和表型整合模式的改变。本文所述的综合特征复合体在很大程度上可以解释为与蚁群内的行为生态学和任务分配有关的功能，种姓特定的模块。人体计划的这种模块化性质被假定为有助于新型表型的进化，因此有助于蚂蚁的巨大进化成功。对这些模块的研究有助于进一步阐明喜树碱蚁中种姓的进化和个体发育，