Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 2, March-April 2000
Taxonomy and Evolutionary biology of the Honeybees
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 235 - 248 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000119 | |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000119
Apidologie 31 (2000) 235-248
Evolution of multiple mating in the genus Apis
Kellie A. Palmer - Benjamin P. Oldroyd
School of Biological Sciences A12, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
Abstract:
Multiple mating by social insect queens is a widespread phenomenon. Because of the apparent inclusive
fitness benefits of monandry, and the potential costs of polyandry, explanations for the evolution of
multiple mating have been frequently sought. Current leading explanations are collectively known as
"genetic variance" hypotheses which posit that both queen and colony fitness are increased by an increase
in the intracolonial genetic diversity that accrues from multiple mating. However, the precise way in
which genetic diversity acts to increase colony fitness is not clear. Furthermore, some of these
hypotheses are probably insufficient to explain extreme levels of polyandry observed in the genus
Apis.
Keywords:
Apis / genetic variance / polyandry / task specialization / parasite
Correspondence and reprints: Kellie A. Palmer
E-mail: kpalmer@bio.usyd.edu.au
Copyright INRA/DIB/AGIB/EDP Sciences