Evolution of satellite-nest building in Polistinae

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Colony genetic structures were examined in a Brazilian independent-founding wasp Polistes satan. The number of reproductive females was significantly larger in colonies of wet season than in colonies of dry season, and consequently the relatedness within each developmental stage of brood was lower in colonies of wet season than in colonies of dry season. In both dry and wet seasons, the gene frequencies were significantly different between groups of consecutive cohorts, suggesting that this species exhibits serial polygyny. P. satan builds satellite nests, but the building behaviors might not be associated with the resolution of conflicts among dominant reproductive females.