Colony (biology)

In contrast, solitary organisms do not associate with colonies; they are ones in which all individuals live independently and have all of the functions needed to survive and reproduce.

In plants, clonal colonies are created through the propagation of genetically identical individuals by stolons or rhizomes.

The subunits of colonial organisms can be unicellular, as in the alga Volvox (a coenobium), or multicellular, as in the phylum Bryozoa.

Structural and functional variation (polymorphism), when present, designates ramet responsibilities such as feeding, reproduction, and defense.

[10] A microbial colony is defined as a visible cluster of microorganisms growing on the surface of or within a solid medium, presumably cultured from a single cell.

[11] Because the colony is clonal, with all organisms in it descending from a single ancestor (assuming no contamination), they are genetically identical, except for any mutations (which occur at low frequencies).

[14] The exact duration and dynamics of colony ontogeny can vary greatly depending on the species and environmental conditions.

[15][16] Factors such as resource availability, competition,[17] and environmental cues can influence the progression and outcome of colony development.

The foundresses can also perform non-reproductive tasks at this early stage, such as nursing these first eggs and leaving the nest to gather resources.

[citation needed] Individuals in social colonies and modular organisms receive benefit to such a lifestyle.

Modular organisms' ability to reproduce asexually in addition to sexually allows them unique benefits that social colonies do not have.