Reduced kin recognition in the success of a widespread ant: Lepisiota capensis

Intraspecific competition for resources is often the factor limiting worker population size in ants.
Energy expended on competition would otherwise go toward colony growth and reproduction. A
loss of intraspecific aggression has been key to the success of many invasive ants, including the
Argentine ant. The Black Sugar Ant (Lepisiota capensis) may be capable of displacing the
Argentine ant. Here I tests whether L. capensis has also experienced a similar reduction in
intraspecific aggression by conducting aggression assays within and among four sites in Kruger
National Park, South Africa. My results show that the L. capensis does have reduced intraspecific
aggression. This reduction in intraspcific aggression may help L. capensis escape energetic costs
associated with intraspecific competition, making this species a better competitor. Because of this
reduced intraspecific aggression, L. capensis may pose a threat as a potentially invasive species and
consequently a threat to biodiversity in South Africa.