Journal article
Competition induces adaptive shifts in caste ratios of a polyembryonic wasp
Nature (London), Vol.406(6792), pp.183-186
07/13/2000
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/104757
PMID: 10910357
Abstract
An important transition in insect life-history evolution was the shift
from a solitary existence to living in groups comprising specialized castes.
Caste-forming species produce some individuals that reproduce and others with
worker functions that have few or no offspring. Morphologically
specialized castes are well known in eusocial species like ants and termites, but castes have also evolved in less-studied groups like thrips,
aphids and polyembryonic wasps. Because selection
acts at both the individual and the colony level, ratios of investment in
different castes are predicted to vary with environmental factors like competition
and resources. However, experimental evidence for adaptive
shifts in caste ratios is limited owing to the experimental
difficulty of manipulating factors thought to influence caste ratios, and because some species produce behaviourally flexible
castes that switch tasks in response to colony needs.
Unlike other caste-forming species, the broods of polyembryonic wasps develop
clonally, so that increased production of one caste probably results in decreased
production of the other. Here we show that the polyembryonic
wasp Copidosoma floridanum alters caste ratios in response to interspecific
competition. Our results reveal a distinct trade-off by C. floridanum
between reproduction and defence, and show experimentally that caste ratios
shift in an adaptive manner.
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Details
- Title
- Competition induces adaptive shifts in caste ratios of a polyembryonic wasp
- Creators
- Laura S CorleyMichael R StrandJeffrey A Harvey - Centre for Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, PO Box 40
- Publication Details
- Nature (London), Vol.406(6792), pp.183-186
- Identifiers
- 99900547087701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article