What does the term "polymorphic" mean in relation to Carpenter Ant colonies?

The term "polymorphic," when applied to Carpenter Ant colonies, refers to the presence of individuals of different sizes within the same colony. This means that in a colony, you may find workers ranging in size from small to large, which allows the colony to perform various tasks more efficiently. Larger workers can tackle larger prey or defend the nest, while smaller workers may be better suited for foraging and caring for the young.

Carpenter Ants exhibit this variation in size as part of their social structure, which enhances their ability to adapt to different environmental challenges. This size differentiation is an important characteristic of the colony, contributing to its overall efficiency and resilience.

The other concepts do not accurately define "polymorphic" in this context. For example, having multiple nesting sites or reproduction at different times does not reflect the size variation among the ants. Additionally, the presence of a single queen pertains to the colony's reproductive structure rather than the definition of polymorphism.