In a neotropical bee (a hymenopteran), there is a genetic polymorphism for eusoc

Question

In a neotropical bee (a hymenopteran), there is a genetic polymorphism for eusociality versus solitary breeding. In eusocial groups, female workers remain inside their home colony and raise fall sisters (r = 0.75). Solitary queens raise their own offspring (r = 0.5) without the help of sterile workers. In one habitat, parasitoid wasps are common (lay their eggs inside bee larvae and kill the bee larvae) and there is a high risk of parasitism of bee larvae by these wasps, female workers increase the average number of sisters produced in the colony by 30 individuals, whereas solitary breeders produce an average of 5 offspring in this environment? In another habitat where there are no parasitoid wasps, helpers increase the average number of sisters produced in the colony by 10 individuals, whereas solitary breeders produce an average of 25 offspring? Determine whether cooperative or solitary breeding will be favored in each habitat by using Hamilton's rule (Br > C) in each habitat. How are eusociality and larval predation linked to each other?

Explanation / Answer

According to Hamilton's rule the population having more number of progeny will be favoured. And the under stress conditions the helper bees increase in considerable number.

Out of them the cooperative breeding practice should be followed as they are lot of increase in the population and the their will be more progeny and better survival will be there.

Eusociality is favoured as they makes the sisters exceptionally closely related to each other. Larval predation is the commons phenomena in wasps population as they lay their eggs in the bees comb and kill their host eggs this makes the wasps valuable for horticulture.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.