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Intracolonial worker relationship and sperm competition in the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

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Summary

Queens, homozygous for three marker genes, were inseminated with eight different types of semen, each carrying one combination of the markers. Intracolonial worker relationship (řc) was estimated by genotype frequencies in the offspring of the experimental queens. řc was larger than under random distribution of semen types in the spermatheca. Estimates of most quantitative genetical parameters will be more accurate using the presented estimator for intracolonial relationship. The insemination order affected genotype frequencies in the offspring, suggesting a weak ‘last male advantage’. There was, however, no evidence of intra spermathecal sperm competition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Bienenkunde, J.-W. Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Fachbereich Biologie, Karl-von-Frisch-Weg 2, D-637, Oberursel, Federal Republic of Germany

    R. F. A. Moritz

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Moritz, R.F.A. Intracolonial worker relationship and sperm competition in the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). Experientia 42, 445–448 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02118652

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