Natural History and Diversity of the Social Wasp Genus Ropalidia (Vespidae)

群蜂属Ropalidia由约180种组成，不仅在种类数量上表现出相当大的差异，而且在社会性和筑巢行为上也表现出相当大的差异。(1)在种水平上对罗氏罗非鱼进行了分类研究，特别是在新几内亚(50种)和马达加斯加(37种)，这两个地区都被认为是该属的分化中心。(2)对澳大利亚群居种罗曼迪的种级分化进行了分析，表明该种的种级差异不是基于大小。探讨了群蜂形态种级差异的统计分析方法。(3)对群居种R、Romandi的群体遗传结构进行了分析，表明该物种实行的是周期性的寡雌化。苏拉威人物种，R.plebeja，被证明几乎独居生活。开发了澳大利亚罗非鱼种的微卫星引物--该种已知会产生巨大的群体聚集性。(4)比较了无包络巢的结构细节，并讨论了其在巢结构上的适应性。(5)利用形态和行为特征，对罗非鱼属物种间的亲缘关系进行了分支分析。共识别出30个种组，其中罗里亚纳组是由其余29个种组组成的单系组的姊妹组。收集的DNA序列样本覆盖了所有30个物种组，并对20个物种的COI和16SrRNA进行了测序。

The social wasp genus Ropalidia, consisting of about 180 species, represents considerable divergence not only in the number of species but also in the social and-nesting behaviors. The following researches were conducted in order to accumulate data and to proceed analyses required to discuss, with reference to the phylogeny, the evolutionary process and mechanisms to promote the divergence in social and nesting behaviors in this genus.(1) Taxonomic review of Ropalidia at the species level was made; special attention was paid on the species in New Guinea (50 species) and Madagascar (37 species), both areas being considered as the centers of divergence of the genus.(2) Morphological caste differentiation in the Australian, swarm-founding species Ropalidia romandi was analyzed, showing that the morphological caste differences in this species is non-size based. Statistical methods to analyze the morphological caste differences in social wasps were discussed.(3) Genetical structure in colonies of the swarm-founding species R, romandi was examined, showing that the species practices the cyclic oligogyny. The Sulawesian species, R. plebeja, was shown to have nearly solitary life. Micro-satellite primer for an Australian species R.plebeiana was developed - the species is known to make huge aggregation of colonies.(4) Details of structure of unenveloped nests were comparatively examined, and the adaptive aspects in the nest structure were discussed.(5) Using morphological and behavioral characters, relationships of species in Ropalidia were analyzed cladistically. A total of 30 species groups were recognized, with the R. loriana-group being the sister group of the monophyletic groups consisting of the remaining 29 species groups. Samples for DNA sequences were accumulated to cover all the 30 species group and the COI and 16SrRNA in 20 species have been sequenced.