Paternity in eusocial Hymenoptera

1996 ◽  
Vol 351 (1342) ◽  
pp. 947-975 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mating Frequency ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Helping Behaviour ◽  
Using Data

Variation in paternity frequency in colonies of eusocial insects has profound effects on the relatedness among offspring and on the genetic diversity of colonies. Data on queen ‘mating-frequency’ in eusocial Hymenoptera vary in both quality and the phase of the ‘mating’ process they address. Some are observational studies of the range or maximum number of copulations; others are derived from estimates of the number of sperm in males and queens; others use genetic techniques to determine the paternity of different males among female offspring. Only the latter data can be used to calculate relatedness among offspring females. Previous reviews drew attention to these problems, but their results have established the impression that high paternity frequencies are common, largely because multiple copulations are frequently observed. For ants, we show that: (i) the range of observed copulations overestimates effective paternity frequency; and (ii) the mean effective paternity frequency in 19 species, for which accurate data based on allozyme analysis of mother — offspring combinations are available, is only 1.16 (range 1-1.48). Over one third of these species have queens in which only one male contributes to paternity. Data from 34 species, which include less detailed genetic studies and four species studied using sperm counts, give similar results. Only two species, both Atta leaf cutter ants and both studied using data on sperm stored in queen spermathecas, appear to have effective insemination frequencies above two. Data on bees and wasps show a similar trend. We conclude that reliably documented high paternity or insemination frequencies (> 2) are currently restricted to one phylogenetically isolated and highly eusocial taxon each in ants, eusocial bees and wasps ( Atta, Apis and Vespula , respectively). This pattern justifies the working hypothesis that multiple mating, by lowering the relatedness between female offspring and thereby the benefits of reproductive helping behaviour, has not been a general constraint for the evolution of eusociality in the Hymenoptera. Using reliable data on paternity frequency and insemination, we re-analyse two factors that it has been suggested correlate with mating frequency: colony population and number of egg-laying queens per colony. We find the following. 1. There is a significant positive correlation between paternity/insemination frequency and colony size for monogynous ants, but not for polygynous ants. This result seems to support the ‘sperm limitation’ hypothesis, that queens which need to be highly fecund copulate multiply to store sufficient sperm. We note, however, that the same trend is expected when large and/or long-lived colonies profit more from having genetically diverse offspring. 2. There is no significant negative correlation between paternity/insemination frequency and number of queens per colony. However, when the analysis is restricted to species with large colonies and no intranidal mating, the correlation between paternity frequency and queen number becomes marginally significant. Several previous reviews have addressed the possible adaptive significance of multiple paternity. In contrast, and in keeping with the data that show single paternity to be frequent, we discuss selective reasons for single or low paternity. We compare the relative effects of multiple paternity and multiple maternity on genetic diversity within colonies and show that they are not equivalent, and we also discuss directions for future research on paternity issues in social insects.

Breeding systems and genetic diversity in tropical carpenter ant colonies: different strategies for similar outcomes in Brazilian Cerrado savanna

2020 ◽  
Vol 190 (3) ◽  
pp. 1020-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Azevedo-Silva ◽  
Gustavo M Mori ◽  
Carolina S Carvalho ◽  
Marina C Côrtes ◽  
Anete P Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Mating Frequency ◽  
Ant Colonies ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Carpenter Ant ◽  
Cerrado Savanna ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Eusocial insects tend to present low genetic diversity (GD) within colonies, which can increase with the co-occurrence of multiple queens (polygyny) or with multiple mating by a single queen (polyandry). Therefore, it is important to elucidate how these strategies influence GD, which in turn mediate population ecology and how organisms respond to their environment. We studied two carpenter ant species from the Brazilian savanna, Camponotus renggeri and C. rufipes. Using microsatellites, we evaluated the number of breeders, the genetic relatedness and the contribution of polygyny and polyandry to GD within colonies. Both species exhibited facultative polygyny. In C. renggeri, low related queens formed colonies jointly and present low mating frequency. In this species, colony GD increased with the number of queens. Contrastingly, closely related queens of C. rufipes formed polygynous colonies, exhibiting high mating frequency. In C. rufipes, both queens and males contributed to colony GD. Despite the differences, the two species have similar GD at the colony scale. Under low mating frequency, our data support that polygyny has evolutionary importance for increasing GD in ant colonies, a mechanism mainly conferred to polyandry. Although the impact of GD in variable ecological and adaptive contexts remains uncertain, this study highlights how distinct reproductive strategies may generate similar patterns of GD in ants.

Multiple paternity in field- and captive-laid egg strands of Sepioteuthis australis (Cephalopoda:Loliginidae)

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 819 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. van Camp ◽  
S. C. Donnellan ◽  
A. R. Dyer ◽  
P. G. Fairweather
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Mating Strategy ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
In Captivity

Previous observations on the mating behaviour of the southern calamary, Sepioteuthis australis Quoy & Gaimard 1833, revealed the potential for multiple paternities within egg strands, which contained up to eight eggs each. Six egg masses were laid in captivity from a possible 14 female and 20 male parents. By using five microsatellite loci, 112 eggs from 35 randomly selected egg strands were assigned sires using the potential fathers’ genotypes. Seven egg strands containing 22 eggs were also collected from the field to test that squid in captivity were apportioning eggs in natural ways, and that multiple paternity within egg strands was not an artefact of captivity. Ninety-seven per cent of strands laid in captivity showed multiple paternities. Similarly, multiple fathers were also evident in the field-laid egg strands. The maximum number of sires found within a single egg strand was four; however, three sires were more common. This is the first account of multiple paternities within egg strands laid by Sepioteuthis. It is likely that females are ‘spermatophore-limited’ when egg laying, and are promiscuous to ensure a ready supply of these sperm packets. Moreover, genetic diversity in a brood is increased by this mating strategy.

scholarly journals Decoupled evolution of mating biology and social structure in Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain A. Dahan ◽  
Nathan K. Grove ◽  
Martin Bollazzi ◽  
Benjamin P. Gerstner ◽  
Christian Rabeling
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Life History ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Mating Frequency ◽  
South American ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Mating Biology

Abstract Insect societies vary greatly in their social structure, mating biology, and life history. Polygyny, the presence of multiple reproductive queens in a single colony, and polyandry, multiple mating by females, both increase the genetic variability in colonies of eusocial organisms, resulting in potential reproductive conflicts. The co-occurrence of polygyny and polyandry in a single species is rarely observed across eusocial insects, and these traits have been found to be negatively correlated in ants. Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants are well-suited for investigating the evolution of complex mating strategies because both polygyny and polyandry co-occur in this genus. We used microsatellite markers and parentage inference in five South American Acromyrmex species to study how different selective pressures influence the evolution of polygyny and polyandry. We show that Acromyrmex species exhibit independent variation in mating biology and social structure, and polygyny and polyandry are not necessarily negatively correlated within genera. One species, Acromyrmex lobicornis, displays a significantly lower mating frequency compared to others, while another species, A. lundii, appears to have reverted to obligate monogyny. These variations appear to have a small impact on average intra-colonial relatedness, although the biological significance of such a small effect size is unclear. All species show significant reproductive skew between patrilines, but there was no significant difference in reproductive skew between any of the sampled species. We find that the evolution of social structure and mating biology appear to follow independent evolutionary trajectories in different species. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary implications that mating biology and social structure have on life history evolution in Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants. Significance statement Many species of eusocial insects have colonies with multiple queens (polygyny), or queens mating with multiple males (polyandry). Both behaviors generate potentially beneficial genetic diversity in ant colonies as well as reproductive conflict. The co-occurrence of both polygyny and polyandry in a single species is only known from few ant species. Leaf-cutting ants have both multi-queen colonies and multiply mated queens, providing a well-suited system for studying the co-evolutionary dynamics between mating behavior and genetic diversity in colonies of eusocial insects. We used microsatellite markers to infer the socio-reproductive behavior in five South American leaf-cutter ant species. We found that variation in genetic diversity in colonies was directly associated with the mating frequencies of queens, but not with the number of queens in a colony. We suggest that multi-queen nesting and mating frequency evolve independently of one another, indicating that behavioral and ecological factors other than genetic diversity contribute to the evolution of complex mating behaviors in leaf-cutting ants.

Workplace Ostracism and Its Negative Outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoming Zheng ◽  
Jun Yang ◽  
Hang-Yue Ngo ◽  
Xiao-Yu Liu ◽  
Wengjuan Jiao
Keyword(s):  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Intention To Leave ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Workplace Ostracism ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Workplace ostracism, conceived as to being ignored or excluded by others, has attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. One essential topic in this area is how to reduce or even eliminate the negative consequences of workplace ostracism. Based on conservation of resources (COR) theory, the current study assesses the relationship between workplace ostracism and its negative outcomes, as well as the moderating role played by psychological capital, using data collected from 256 employees in three companies in the northern part of China. The study yields two important findings: (1) workplace ostracism is positively related to intention to leave and (2) psychological capital moderates the effect of workplace ostracism on affective commitment and intention to leave. This paper concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for organizations and employees, along with recommendations for future research.

Siblings and Illness

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Sawyer Vanderwerp
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Birth Order ◽  
Family Size ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mother And Child ◽  
Using Data

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-Mother and Child samples, I investigated the relationships among child and adolescent depressive symptoms, having a chronically ill sibling, and other child and familial demographic variables. From research on social support and social role transitions, with the Stress Process as a theoretical model, I hypothesized that children with chronically ill siblings experience more depressive symptoms. Specifically, I looked at age, gender, birth order and family size as potentially reducing the effect size of having a chronically ill sibling. Findings showed that having a chronically ill sibling is associated with demonstrating more depressive symptoms both in the bivariate and multivariate analyses. Although age, gender, birth order and family size do not interact significantly with having a chronically ill sibling in predicting depressive symptoms, they do present interesting findings about childhood depressive symptoms in general. Thus, the results of this study suggest specific and meaningful paths for future research.

scholarly journals Secondary School Teachers’ Professional Development in Australia and Shanghai: Needs, Support, and Barriers

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110269
Author(s):  
Guangbao Fang ◽  
Philip Wing Keung Chan ◽  
Penelope Kalogeropoulos
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Secondary School Teachers ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Scheduled Time

Using data from the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS; 2013), this article explores teachers’ needs, support, and barriers in their professional development. The research finds that Australian teachers expressed greater needs in information and communication technology (ICT) use and new technology training for teaching, while Shanghai teachers required more assistance to satisfy students’ individual learning and pedagogical competencies. More than 80% of Australian and Shanghai teachers received scheduled time to support their participation in professional development, whereas less than 20% of Australian and Shanghai teachers received monetary or nonmonetary support. In terms of barriers, Australian and Shanghai teachers reported two significant barriers that conflicted with their participation in professional development: “working schedule” and “a lack of incentives to take part.” This article reveals implications of the study in the design of an effective professional development program for Australian and Shanghai teachers and ends with discussing the limitations of the research and future research directions.

How Collective-Action Failure Shapes Group Heterogeneity and Engagement in Conventional and Radical Action Over Time

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762097056
Author(s):  
Morgana Lizzio-Wilson ◽  
Emma F. Thomas ◽  
Winnifred R. Louis ◽  
Brittany Wilcockson ◽  
Catherine E. Amiot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Social Identification ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Group Efficacy ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Over Time

Extensive research has identified factors influencing collective-action participation. However, less is known about how collective-action outcomes (i.e., success and failure) shape engagement in social movements over time. Using data collected before and after the 2017 marriage-equality debate in Australia, we conducted a latent profile analysis that indicated that success unified supporters of change ( n = 420), whereas failure created subgroups among opponents ( n = 419), reflecting four divergent responses: disengagement (resigned acceptors), moderate disengagement and continued investment (moderates), and renewed commitment to the cause using similar strategies (stay-the-course opponents) or new strategies (innovators). Resigned acceptors were least inclined to act following failure, whereas innovators were generally more likely to engage in conventional action and justify using radical action relative to the other profiles. These divergent reactions were predicted by differing baseline levels of social identification, group efficacy, and anger. Collective-action outcomes dynamically shape participation in social movements; this is an important direction for future research.

scholarly journals Evolving Patterns of Cryptosporidiosis: Issues and Implications in the Context of Public Health in India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bijay Ranjan Mirdha
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Recombination ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Transmission Intensity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cryptosporidium Hominis ◽  
Host Preferences ◽  
Childhood Growth ◽  
Life Years

AbstractCryptosporidiosis is one of the major causes of diarrhea in immune-compromised individuals and children besides causing sporadic water-borne, food-borne, and zoonotic outbreaks. In 2016, Cryptosporidium species infection was the fifth leading cause of diarrhea and acute infection causing more than 4.2 million disability-adjusted life years lost besides a decrease in childhood growth. Human cryptosporidiosis is primarily caused by two species/genotype: Cryptosporidium hominis (anthroponotic) and Cryptosporidium parvum (zoonotic) besides other six rare species/genotypes. Transmission intensity, genetic diversity, and occurrence of genetic recombination have shaped the genus Cryptosporidium population structures into palmitic, clonal, and epidemic. Genetic recombination is more in C. parvum compared with C. hominis. Furthermore, parasite–host co-evolution, host adaptation, and geographic segregation have led to the formation of “subtype- families.” Host-adapted subtype-families have distinct geographical distribution and host preferences. Genetic exchanges between subtypes played an important role throughout the evolution of the genus leading to “adaptation introgression” that led to emergence of virulent and hyper-transmissible subtypes. The population structure of C. hominis in India appears to be more complex where both transmission intensity and genetic diversity are much higher. Further, study based on “molecular strain surveillance” has resulted newer insights into the epidemiology and transmission of cryptosporidiosis in India. The identification at the species and genotype levels is essential for the assessment of infection sources in humans and the public health potential of the parasite at large. The results of the study over three decades on cryptosporidiosis in India, in the absence of a national surveillance data, were analyzed highlighting current situation on epidemiology, genetic diversity, and distribution particularly among vulnerable population. Despite creditable efforts, there are still many areas need to be explored; therefore, the intent of this article is to facilitate future research approaches for mitigating the burden associated with this disease.

scholarly journals Please, Do Not Interrupt Me: Work–Family Balance and Segmentation Behavior as Mediators of Boundary Violations and Teleworkers’ Burnout and Flourishing

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7339
Author(s):  
Vânia Sofia Carvalho ◽  
Alda Santos ◽  
Maria Teresa Ribeiro ◽  
Maria José Chambel
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Boundary Violations ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

The lockdown, in the COVID-19 pandemic, is considered an external crisis that evokes innumerous changes in individuals lives. One of the changes is the work and family dynamics. Based on boundary theory we examine the mediated role of work and family balance and boundary segmentation behavior in the relationship between boundary violations and teleworkers’ stress and well-being. However, because women and men live their work and family differently, gender may condition the way teleworkers lead with boundary violations and boundary segmentation. Hypotheses were tested through moderated mediation modeling using data collected of 456 teleworkers during lockdown. In line with our expectations, teleworkers who have suffered most boundary violations were those with least boundary segmentation behaviors and with least work-family balance which, in turn was related to higher burnout and lower flourishing. Furthermore, gender was found to moderate the relationship between boundary violations from work-to-family and segmentation behavior in the same direction and this relationship was stronger for females than for males. We discuss implications for future research and for managing teleworkers, creating sustainability, both during a crise and stable days.

scholarly journals Laying hen mortality in different indoor housing systems: a meta-analysis of data from commercial farms in 16 countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Schuck-Paim ◽  
Elsa Negro-Calduch ◽  
Wladimir J. Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Degree Of Maturity ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Average Drop

AbstractSocietal concern with the welfare of egg laying hens housed in conventional cages is fostering a transition towards cage-free systems in many countries. However, although cage-free facilities enable hens to move freely and express natural behaviours, concerns have also been raised over the possibility that cage-free flocks experience higher mortality, potentially compromising some aspects of their welfare. To investigate this possibility, we conducted a large meta-analysis of laying hen mortality in conventional cages, furnished cages and cage-free aviaries using data from 6040 commercial flocks and 176 million hens from 16 countries. We show that except for conventional cages, mortality gradually drops as experience with each system builds up: since 2000, each year of experience with cage-free aviaries was associated with a 0.35–0.65% average drop in cumulative mortality, with no differences in mortality between caged and cage-free systems in more recent years. As management knowledge evolves and genetics are optimized, new producers transitioning to cage-free housing may experience even faster rates of decline. Our results speak against the notion that mortality is inherently higher in cage-free production and illustrate the importance of considering the degree of maturity of production systems in any investigations of farm animal health, behaviour and welfare.

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