Non-kin Cooperation in Ants

Suarez, Andrew V.; Goodisman, Michael A. D.

doi:10.3389/fevo.2021.736757

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…Thus, different Vespula species show variation in whether they accept non-nestmate queens into the colony (Loope et al, 2018). Importantly, the loss of colony boundaries associated with non-nestmate recruitment and recruitment of multiple queens has been identified in other social insects, most notably in many invasive ants (Helantera et al, 2009;Suarez & Goodisman, 2021). Such breakdowns are associated with changes in environmental conditions and, perhaps, with genetic changes to populations.…”

Section: Interestingly Previous Studies Of Perennial Colonies In Othermentioning

confidence: 99%

Social structure of perennialVespula squamosawasp colonies

Dyson

Crossley

Ray

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Many social species show variation in their social structure in response to different environmental conditions. For example, colonies of the yellowjacket wasp Vespula squamosa are typically headed by a single reproductive queen and survive for only a single season. However, in warmer climates, V. squamosa colonies sometimes persist for multiple years and can grow to extremely large size. We used genetic markers to understand patterns of reproduction and recruitment within these perennial colonies. We genotyped V. squamosa workers, pre‐reproductive queens, and males from perennial colonies in the southeastern United States at 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial DNA locus. We found that V. squamosa from perennial nests were produced by multiple reproductives, in contrast to typical annual colonies. Relatedness of nestmates from perennial colonies was significantly lower than relatedness of nestmates from annual colonies. Our analyses of mitochondrial DNA indicated that most V. squamosa perennial colonies represented semiclosed systems whereby all individuals belonged to a single matriline despite the presence of multiple reproductive females. However, new queens recruited into perennial colonies apparently mated with non‐nestmate males. Notably, perennial and annual colonies did not show significant genetic differences, supporting the hypothesis that perennial colony formation represents an instance of social plasticity. Overall, our results indicate that perennial V. squamosa colonies show substantial changes to their social biology compared to typical annual colonies and demonstrate variation in social behaviors in highly social species.

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Section: Interestingly Previous Studies Of Perennial Colonies In Othermentioning

confidence: 99%

Social structure of perennialVespula squamosawasp colonies

Dyson

Crossley

Ray

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Nevertheless, many animals form groups with non-relatives, and in these societies direct fitness gains are generally the major component of inclusive fitness (Clements and Stephens, 1995;Dugatkin, 2002;Goodnight, 2005;Clutton-Brock, 2009;Queller, 2011). These social groups, which exist across diverse animal taxa (Bernasconi and Strassmann, 1999;Clutton-Brock, 2009;Riehl, 2013;Wilkinson et al, 2016;Brask et al, 2019;Suarez and Goodisman, 2021), demonstrate the value of examining the diversity of selection contexts for understanding the evolution of sociality, and provide useful models for examining ecological drivers of social evolution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Drivers of Non-kin Cooperation in the Hymenoptera

2022

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Despite the prominence of kin selection as a framework for understanding the evolution of sociality, many animal groups are comprised of unrelated individuals. These non-kin systems provide valuable models that can illuminate drivers of social evolution beyond indirect fitness benefits. Within the Hymenoptera, whose highly related eusocial groups have long been cornerstones of kin selection theory, groups may form even when indirect fitness benefits for helpers are low or absent. These non-kin groups are widespread and abundant, yet have received relatively little attention. We review the diversity and organization of non-kin sociality across the Hymenoptera, particularly among the communal bees and polygynous ants and wasps. Further, we discuss common drivers of sociality across these groups, with a particular focus on ecological factors. Ecological contexts that favor non-kin sociality include those dominated by resource scarcity or competition, climatic stressors, predation and parasitism, and/or physiological constraints associated with reproduction and resource exploitation. Finally, we situate Hymenopteran non-kin sociality within a broader biological context by extending insights from these systems across diverse taxa, especially the social vertebrates. Non-kin social groups thus provide unique demonstrations of the importance of ecological factors in mediating the evolutionary transition from solitary to group living.

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