Definition & Meaning of "slave ant"

What is a "slave ant"?

A slave ant, also known as a dulotic ant, is a unique member of an ant colony that has been captured and enslaved by another ant species. These ants are forcibly integrated into the social structure of the capturing colony and are made to perform various tasks to support the host colony. The slave ants often take care of the host colony's brood, gather food, and perform other laborious duties. Despite their captive status, slave ants have specific adaptations that enable them to coexist with their captors, allowing for a complex dynamic within ant communities.