In a neotropical bee (a hymenopteran). there is a genetic polymorphism for eusoc
ID: 162146 • Letter: I
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 full 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:
rb>c ; where, r = coefficient of relatedness; c = cost incurred by altruist; and b = benefit received by recipient.
Given information is: In eusocial groups, female workers remain inside their home colony; r = 0.75
Solitary queens raise their own offspring; r = 0.5
In the first habitat, where Colony size = 30= c; the cost incurred by altruist is 30.
Average number of sisters produced in parasitic environment = increased i.e. becomes more than 30= b; more offsprings are produced. This means that the benefit received by the recipient is more;
According to Hamilton rule, rb>c; 0.75*(more than30) >30. So, this type of breeding will be favored by Hamilton's rule if the number of offsprings is increased atleast by 11.
On the other hand, Solitary breeders produce 5 offspring = b; Put the value in formula; 0.5 * 5 > 30. This is not true; so, solitary breeding will not be favored by Hamilton rule at all in the first habitat.
In the second habitat, where, colony size = 30 = c
Colony size of helpers become = 40=b (given); so, 0.75*40>30; this type of breeding will neither be favored not disfavored by Hamilton’s rule.
Colony size of solitary breeders = 25 =b (given); so, 0.5*25 >30; this type of breeding will not be favored by Hamilton’s rule.
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