Energetics reveals physiologically distinct castes in a eusocial mammal

M. Scantlebury (), J. R. Speakman, M. K. Oosthuizen, T. J. Roper and N. C. Bennett
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M. Scantlebury: University of Pretoria
J. R. Speakman: University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences
M. K. Oosthuizen: University of Pretoria
T. J. Roper: University of Sussex
N. C. Bennett: University of Pretoria

Nature, 2006, vol. 440, issue 7085, 795-797

Abstract: What about the workers Eusocial insects, such as ants and termites, have distinct ‘castes’ specialized for carrying out different tasks. Eusociality is extremely rare in mammals, and in the few species that do show it, there has been no clear evidence that the helpers are a distinct caste. Now in an experiment that measured energy expenditure in workers of a eusocial mole-rat, two distinct castes have been identified. ‘Frequent workers’ labour year-round helping to sustain the colony and allowing the queen to breed. ‘Infrequent workers’ accumulate body fat, do little work, and await suitable opportunities to disperse and reproduce. After rainfall the fat lazy caste becomes extremely active and expends more energy than the frequent workers.

Date: 2006
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DOI: 10.1038/nature04578

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