Kin selection Eastern yellowjacket

1 kin selection

1.1 genetic relatedness within colonies
1.2 kin recognition , discrimination
1.3 worker queen conflict

kin selection
genetic relatedness within colonies

as social species, v. maculifrons colonies depend on collaboration. however, polyandry tends create subfamilies lower relatedness, can lead conflict within colony. yet, v. maculifrons queens, , many other species’ queens, mate multiply. occurrence explained because potential conflict between subfamilies offset reproductive success of queens; mate number of queens correlated number of queen cells colony creates. phenomenon may occur due higher genetic diversity, lead genetically varying workers more efficient @ jobs.

kin recognition , discrimination

as seen in many social insects, cuticular lipids source of communication among adults. in general, cuticular lipids function avoid dehydration acting seal keep moisture in. however, hydrocarbons on surface of cuticular lipids can serve in identifying individual’s species, , more importantly, kin. kin recognition occurs because each species has unique cuticular hydrocarbon composition. however, composition between v. maculifrons , v. squamosa similar. occurrence advantageous v. squamosa because species social parasite of v. maculifrons, , similar hydrocarbon compositions can act chemical camouflage v. squamosa parasitize nests. also, minor differences occur between cuticular hydrocarbon compositions of workers , queens.

worker queen conflict

when queen cell construction begins in late august september, in male’s best interest mate queen , produce gyne. similar wasp species illustrate workers own kin or harm nonrelatives growing gyne. thus, reproductive competition occurs genes of specific subfamilies can passed on , survive. however, no evidence of reproductive competition exists within v. maculifrons colonies. although second male may attempt grasp queen after copulation male, postcopulatory sperm competition not common. in addition, reproductive skew among males low.