scholarly journals Worker-queen conflict and sex ratio theory in social hymenoptera

Heredity ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
M G Bulmer ◽  
P D Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Social Hymenoptera ◽  
Sex Ratio Theory

On the Robustness of Split Sex Ratio Predictions In Social Hymenoptera

1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis L.W. Ratnieks ◽  
Jacobus J. Boomsma
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Social Hymenoptera

scholarly journals Patterns of split sex ratio in ants have multiple evolutionary causes based on different within-colony conflicts

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 713-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf Kümmerli ◽  
Laurent Keller
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sex Allocation ◽  
Social Hymenoptera ◽  
Kin Structure ◽  
Widespread Phenomenon ◽  
Queen Production

Split sex ratio—a pattern where colonies within a population specialize in either male or queen production—is a widespread phenomenon in ants and other social Hymenoptera. It has often been attributed to variation in colony kin structure, which affects the degree of queen–worker conflict over optimal sex allocation. However, recent findings suggest that split sex ratio is a more diverse phenomenon, which can evolve for multiple reasons. Here, we provide an overview of the main conditions favouring split sex ratio. We show that each split sex-ratio type arises due to a different combination of factors determining colony kin structure, queen or worker control over sex ratio and the type of conflict between colony members.

Using Meta-analysis to Test Ecological and Evolutionary Theory

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Jennions ◽  
Christopher J. Lortie ◽  
Julia Koricheva
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Fighting Behavior ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Sex Ratio Theory

This chapter describes nine case studies that illustrate how meta-analysis has contributed to theoretical developments in basic research in ecology and evolution. The main research topics cover are maintenance of biodiversity (Case 1); sexual selection (mate choice/fighting behavior) (cases 2, 8, 9); sex ratio theory (Case 3); allometric scaling (Case 4); the invasiveness of exotic plants (Case 5); seed size and plant abundance (Case 6); and the role of competition and predation in structuring communities (Case 7). It is hoped that these case studies will resonate with the reader and provide “templates” for ways to conduct comparable tests on analogous controversies in their own fields of research.

Estimating the Frequency of Constrained Sex Allocation in Field Populations of Hymenoptera

Behaviour ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 114 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 137-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.C.J. Godfray ◽  
I.C.W. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sex Allocation ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Ratio Bias ◽  
Sex Ratio Bias ◽  
Sex Ratio Theory

Abstract1) Sex ratio theory has assumed that females can produce offspring of both sexes. It has been suggested that some females in haplodiploid populations are only able to produce sons (constrained sex allocation), for example because they are virgin. The presence of such females influences the optimal sex ratio of unconstrained females. The relevance of these ideas to field sex ratios is largely untested. 2) The frequencies of constrained oviposition in three Drosophila parasitoid species are estimated. Constrained, ovipositing females were distinguished by the absence of sperm in the spermatheca. Constrained females were absent or rare in these species. 3) We review data from the literature that allow an estimate of the frequency of constrained females. 4) We conclude that the available evidence suggests that while constrained oviposition is uncommon, there are some species in which constrained females are sufficiently common to select for an observable sex ratio bias by unconstrained females.

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