Inclusive fitness theory: novel predictions and tests in eusocial Hymenoptera
Ann. Zool. Fennici, (2001)Abstract
Hamilton’s first papers concerned social evolution and revolutionized our understanding of reproductive conflict in insect societies. The revolution continues. Recent research at the University of Sheffield has investigated two topics previously not considered from an inclusive fitness perspective: dominance hierarchies and queen-worker caste conflict. The theory makes predictions close to that occurring in hierarchies of Dinoponera queenless ants and queen overproduction in Melipona bees. An earlier prediction, that multiple paternity favours worker policing, is supported by research on Vespula and Dolichovespula wasps. However, worker policing also occurs in the hornet, Vespa crabro, which has low paternity (effective queen mating 1.1). Worker policing in Vespinae wasps has two novel facultative features. In Dolichovespula saxonica, worker policing occurs in colonies headed by a multiple-mated queen but not by a single-mated queen. In Vespa crabro, queenless colonies accept worker-laid eggs but reject queen-laid eggs, probably because queen supersedure does not occur but queen parasitism does.