Crozier, Ross H., and Fjerdingstad, Else J. (2001) Polyandry in social Hymenoptera — disunity in diversity? Annales Zoologici Fennici, 38 (3-4). pp. 267-285.

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Abstract

Multiple mating by queens occurs in many species of social Hymenoptera despite its likely costs. Hypotheses to explain multiple mating include a need for more sperm than provided by a single male, the convergence of queen and worker sex-allocation optima and various genetic diversity hypotheses. For some species the sperm need hypothesis fails since queens retain only a single male’s worth of sperm. In other cases, sperm store does increase with the number of matings. Similarly for the sex-allocation and genetic diversity hypotheses, data from some species are in support, those from others are not. Comparative analysis reveals a negative correlation between level of genetic diversity (of which queen mate number is an important determinant) and parasite load; findings in the best-studied case are complex: monandry and higher levels of polyandry are each selectively favored over moderate polyandry. Out of 14 identifiable hypotheses five are judged most useful for future work. Unfortunately, the search for a simple unitary model to explain all cases seems futile. A model encompassing all of these factors is desirable for studies on single species, but would be complex. Comparative analyses remain desirable, but should encompass the likelihood that different factors predominate in different groups.

Item ID:	276
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	0003-455X
Keywords:	sociobiology; sex allocation; polyandry queen; biology; ants in general; vespid wasps; honey bees; apis honeybees; population genetics; sperm need; genetic diversity hypothesis; monandry; myrmicine ants; Pogonomyrmex attine; Atta; Acromyrmex formicine; Formica; bumble bees; Bombus mathematical model; immunogenes; colony founding dispersal
Related URLs:	http://www.sekj.org/AnnZool.html
Additional Information:	© 2001 Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board. : Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher : This journal is available online - use hypertext links above.
Date Deposited:	11 Sep 2006
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0699 Other Biological Sciences > 069999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 100% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0604 Genetics > 060411 Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics @ 0% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060808 Invertebrate Biology @ 0%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 100%
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