Social contracts in wasp societies
Article Abstract:
Experiments with the paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, showed that a social contract between dominant queens and subordinate females ensures the stability of the wasps' colonies. The contract allows the dominant queens to entice the females into remaining part of the colony in return for the chance to reproduce. The experimental removal of subordinates' reproductive-destined eggs caused them to rebel against the queens. This indicates that the contract's purpose is to deter the queens from destroying the subordinates' reproductive-destined eggs though worker-destined eggs could be destroyed without a response.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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Queen activation of lazy workers in colonies of the eusocial naked mole-rat
Article Abstract:
Colonies of the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) evince queen-worker conflict similar to what occurs among the eusocial insects. Mole-rat colonies consist of one breeding female or queen, one to three mates for the queen and the workers all of which are the queen's progeny. The observation that mole-rat queens shove and otherwise act aggressively toward indolent workers bears out the work-conflict hypothesis, which holds that it is in the queen's interest to keep the workers busy even when food is plentiful so that they shall not threaten her reproductive monopoly.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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Low beta diversity of herbivorous insects in tropical forests
Article Abstract:
The studies conducted on many species from three herbivorous guilds feeding on foliage, wood and fruit have shown a low rate of change in species composition (beta diversity). Low beta diversity is documented in groups with differing host specificity, indicating that dispersal limitation does not have a substantial role in shaping the distribution of insect species in New Guinea lowland rainforests.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2007
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