Figure 1. In the dependent lineage (genetic caste determining) Pogonomyrmex, queens obligately mate within and between lineages (the lineage pair J1/J2 are pictured here) in order to produce a functional colony.

Hybrid matings produce workers (horned symbols), while within lineage, “pure”, matings produce reproductive females (future queens). Diagnostic microsatellite markers can be used to assess the parentage of individuals at any point during development, even prior to their physical differentiation.