Worker Control of Reproduction in Multiple-queen Wasp Societies

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Abstract Strassmann & Queller IBN-9507515 Worker control of reproduction in multiple-queen wasp societies The social insects provide one of the best models for studying cooperative behavior in the natural world. Kin selection theory has successfully explained why a social insect might help relatives instead of trying to reproduce alone, but a more difficult problem remains unsolved. Given that an individual decides to join a group, it should often be selected to prefer being a reproductive rather than helping. But if this is so, how is anarchy avoided, particularly in large colonies where the queen cannot hope to physically dominate all her subordinates? The most promising hypothesis appears to be collective worker control of reproduction, but this possibility has not been tested very widely. Strassmann and Queller will take advantage of extensive past work on a species of social wasp, Parachartergus colobopterus, to test for collective worker control in three distinct contexts. First, do workers determine who lays the haploid male eggs? Second, do workers determine which of the numerous queens survives to produce new queens? Third, do workers determine the timing and the identity of new queens? In each case the predictions will be derived from kin selection theory and will be tested through the analysis of videotaped behavior, combined with kinship analysis based on DNA microsatellite genotypes. This research will ultimately reveal much about the expression and resolution of genetic conflicts of interest. It will also contribute to the new technology surrounding microsatellite genes, methods which are important in many areas, including evolutionary studies, conservation genetics, forensics, and gene-mapping studies for agricultural and medical needs. Besides contributing to the training of postdoctoral and graduate students, Strassmann and Queller encourage p articipation of undergraduates, high school students, and teachers who take the knowledge they gain back to the classroom.