Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reproductivity and relatedness in a communal halictine beeLasioglossum (Chilalictus) hemichalceum

  • Research Articles
  • Published:
Insectes Sociaux Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The biology of communal species is not well known. Here we report the reproductivity (number of offspring per female) and genetic relatedness forLasioglossum (Chilalictus) hemichalceum, a communal halictine bee. There is a positive Model II regression, with a slope indistinguishable from one, between natural logarithms of the number of offspring and the number of adult females in a colony; indicating that as colony size increases the reproductivity per female does not decrease. This pattern is like that found in one other communal species and unlike that found in a wide variety of eusocial species. Relatedness among adult nestmates, based on two variable loci, is low. For 52 colonies it is about 0.13, and for a subset of 25 reproductively active colonies it was not distinguishable from zero. This indicates that the role of kin selection is minor at best in this highly cooperative, communal species. A review of the relatedness data available for communal groups, both foundress associations and species that are communal throughout their colony cycle, indicates that communal sociality is often but not always associated with low intra colony relatedness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrams, J. and G. C. Eickwort, 1980a. Biology of the communal sweat bee,Agapostemon virescens (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in New York state.Search (Cornell University Agriculture Experimental Station)1:1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abrams, J. and G. C. Eickwort, 1980b. Nest switching and guarding by the communal sweat bee,Agapostemon virescens (Hymenoptera: Halictidae).Insectes Sociaux 28:105–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allendorf, F. W., N. Mitchell, N. Ryman and G. Stahl. 1977. Isozyme loci in brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). Detection and interpretation from population data.Hereditas 86:179–180.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Axelrod, R. and D. Dion, 1988. The further evolution of cooperation.Science 242:1385–1390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayasse, M., R. Leys, P. Pamilo and J. Tengö, 1990. Kinship in communally nestingAndrena (Hymenoptera: Adrenidae) bees as indicated by composition of Dufour's gland secretions.Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 18:453–460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartz, S. H. and B. Hölldobler, 1982. Colony founding inMyrmecocystus mimicus Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the evolution of foundress associations.Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 10:137–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkelhammer, R. C., 1983. Population genetic structure of dolichoderine ants. In:The Biology of Social Insects (M. D. Breed, C. D. Michener and H. E. Evans, Eds.), Westview Press, Boulder.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clayton, J. W. and D. N. Tretiak, 1972. Amine-Cirate buffers for pH control in starch gel electrophoresis.J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 29:1169–1172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crespi, B. J., 1991. Heterozygosity in the haplodiploid Thysanoptera.Evolution 45:458–464.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crozier, R. H., B. H. Smith and Y. C. Crozier, 1987. Relatedness and population structure of the primitively eusocial bee,Lasioglossum zephyrum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Kansas.Evolution 41:902–911.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danforth, B. N., 1991a. Female foraging and intra-nest behavior of a communal bee,Perdita portalis Timberlake (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae).Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 84:357–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danforth, B. N., 1991b. The morphology and behavior of dimorphic males inPerdita portails (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae).Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 29:235–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danforth, B.N., in prep. Nestmate relatedness in a communal bee,Perdita texana (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), based on DNA fingerprinting.

  • Eickwort, G. C., 1981a. Presocial insects. In:Social Insects, Vol. II., (H. R. Hermann, Ed.), Academic Press, New York, pp. 199–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eickwort, G. C., 1981b. Aspects of the nesting biology of five nearactic species ofAgapostemon (Hymenoptera: Halictidae).J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 54:337–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eickwort, G. C. and K. R. Eickwort, 1969. Aspects of the biology of Costa Rican halictine bees, I.Agapostemon nasutus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae).J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 42:421–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, H. E. and A. W. Hook, 1982. Communal nesting in AustralianCerceris digger wasps. In:The Biology of Social Insects (M. D. Breed, C. D. Michener, H. E. Evans, Eds.), Westview Press, Boulder.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, H. E. and A. W. Hook, 1986. Nesting behavior of AustralianCerceris digger wasps, with special reference to nest reutilization and nest sharing (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae).Sociobiology 11:275–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadagkar, R., 1991. On testing the role of genetic asymmetries by haplodiploidy in the evolution of eusociality in the Hymenoptera.J. Genet. 70:1–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garófalo, C. A., 1985. Social Structure ofEuglossa cordata Nests (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini).Entomol. Gener. 11:77–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garófalo, C. A., E. Camillo, J. C. Serrano and J. M. M. Rebelo, 1992. Nest reuse and communal nesting inMicrothurge corumbae (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), with special reference to nest defense.Ins. Soc. 39:301–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graur, D., 1985. Gene diversity in Hymenoptera.Evolution 39:190–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen, R. H., D. R. Smith and S. W. Rissing, 1988. Genetic relatedness among cofoundresses of two desert ants,Veromessor pergandei andAcromyrmex versicolor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Psyche 95:191–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, H. and D. A. Hopkinson, 1976.Handbook of Enzymes Electrophoresis in Human Genetics. Elsevier, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hefetz, A., G. Bergström and J. Tengö, 1986. Species, individual and kin specific blends in Dufour's gland secretion of halictine bees: Chemical evidence.J. Chem. Ecol. 12:197–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kukuk, P. F., 1989. Evolutionary genetics of a primitively eusocial bee,Dialictus zephyrus. In:Evolutionary Genetics of Social Insects (R. E. Page Jr., M. D. Breed, Eds.), Westview Press, Boulder.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kukuk, P. F., 1992. Social interactions and familiarity in communal halictine bee,Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) erythrurum.Ethology 91:291–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kukuk, P.F., (in prep). Evolutionary maintenance of male dimorphism: Temporal shifts in adaptiveness.

  • Kukuk, P. F. and R. H. Crozier, 1990. Trophallaxis in a communal halictine bee,Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) erythrurum.Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 87:5402–5404.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kukuk, P. F. and M. P. Schwarz, 1987. Intranest behavior of the communal sweat beeLasioglossum (Chilalictus) erythrurum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae).J. Kans. Ent. Soc. 60:58–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kukuk, P. F. and M. P. Schwarz, 1988. Macrocephalic male bees as functional reproductives and probable guards.Pan-Pacific Entomologist 64:131–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leary, R. F. and H. E. Booke, 1990. Starch gel electrophoresis and species distinctions. In:Methods for Fish Biology (C. B. Schreck and P. B. Moyle, Eds.), American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, 140–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, R. W., 1991. Evolution of social behavior in sphecid wasps. In:The Social Biology of Wasps (K. G. Ross and R. W. Matthews, Eds.), Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 570–601.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, B., J.E. Marsden and C. G. Schenck, 1989.Electrophoretic Procedures, Recipes and Nomenclature used in the Cornell Laboratory for Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, 57.

  • McCorquodale, D. B., 1988. Relatedness among nestmates in a primitively social wasp,Cerceris antipodes (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae).Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 23:401–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCorquodale, D. B., 1989a. Nest Defense in Single- and Multifemale Nests ofCerceris antipodes (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae).Journal of Insect Behavior 2:267–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCorquodale, D. B., 1989b. Nest sharing, nest switching, longevity and overlap of generations inCerceris antipodes (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae).Insectes Sociaux 36:42–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCorquodale, D. B. and I. D. Naumann, 1988. A new Australian species of communal ground nesting wasp, in genusSpilomena Shuckard (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae: Pemphredoninae).J. Aust. Ent. Soc. 27:221–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michener, C. D., 1964. Reproductive efficiency in relation to colony size in hymenopterous societies.Insectes Sociaux 11:317–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michener, C. D., 1974.The Social Behavior of the Bees, Harvard University Press. Cambridge, 404.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mintzer, A. and S. B. Vinson, 1985. Cooperative colony foundation by females of the leafcutting ant,Atta texana in the laboratory.J.N.Y. Entomol Soc. 93:1047–1051.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, H. R. and P. R. Challinor, 1985. Fructose bisphosphate isozymes of the mouse, I. Inheritance.Biochemical Genetics 23:499–510. Nos. 7/8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, R., 1985. Difficulties with the interpretation of patterns of genetic variation in the eusocial Hymenoptera.Evolution 39:201–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Packer, L. and R. E. Owen, 1992. Variable enzyme systems in the Hymenoptera.Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 20:1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Packer, L. and R. E. Owen, 1994. Relatedness and sex ratio in a primitively eusocial halictine bee.Behav. Biol. Sociobiol. 34 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plateaux-Quénu, C., L. Plateaux and L. Packer, 1989. Biological notes onEvylaeus villosulus (K.) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), a bivoltine, largely solitary halictine bee.Ins. Soc. 36:245–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollock, G. B. and S. W. Rissing, 1985. Mating season and colony foundation of the seed-harvester ant,Veromessor pergandei.Psyche 92:125–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollock, G. B. and S. W. Rissing, 1989. Intraspecific brood raiding, territoriality, and slavery in ants.Am. Nat. 133:61–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Queller, D. C. and K. F. Goodnight, 1989. Estimating relatedness using genetic markers.Evolution 43:258–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeve, H. K., 1991. Polistes. In:The Social Biology of Wasps (K. G. Ross and R. W. Matthews, Eds.), Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 99–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeve, H. K. and F. L. W. Ratnieks, 1993. Queen-queen conflicts in polygamous societies: mutual tolerance and reproductive skew. In:Queen Number and Sociality in Insects (L. Keller, Ed.), Oxford University Press, Oxford, 43–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeve, H. K., J. S. Reeve and D. W. Pfenning, 1985. Eusociality and genetic variability: a reevaluation.Evolution 39:200–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridgeway, G. J., S. W. Sherburne and R. D. Lewis, 1970. Polmorphism in the esterases of Atlantic herring.Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 99:147–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rissing, S. W. and G. B. Pollock, 1986. Social interaction among pleometrotic queens ofVeromessor pergandei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) during colony foundation.Anim. Behav. 35:975–981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rissing, S. W. and G. B. Pollock, 1987. Queen aggression, pleometrotic advantage and brood raiding in the antVeromessor pergandei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Anim. Behav. 35:975–981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rissing, S. W., G. B. Pollock, M. R. Higgins, R. H. Hagen and D. R. Smith, 1989. Foraging specialization without relatedness or dominance among co-founding ant queens.Nature 338:420–422.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, K. G. and D. J. C. Fletcher, 1985. Comparative study of genetic and social structure in two forms of the fire ant,Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 27:387–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakagami, S. F. and R. Zucchi, 1978. Nests ofHylaeus (Hylaeopsis) tricolor: the first record of nonsolitary life in colletid bees, with notes on communal and quasisocial colonies.J. Kans. Ent. Soc. 51:597–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos, M. L. and C. A. Garófalo, 1994. Nesting biology and nest re-use ofEulaema nigrita (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Euglossini).Ins. Soc. 41:99–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, M. P. 1987. Intra-colony relatedness and sociality in the allodapine bee,Exoneura bicolor.Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 21:387–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, M. P. and M. W. Blows, 1991. Kin association during nest founding in the bee,Exoneura bicolor. Active discrimination, philopatry and familiar landmarks.Psyche 98:241–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, M. P., R. M. Lowe and K. L. Lefevre (in prep). Kin association in the social allodapine bee,Exoneura richardsoni.

  • Selander, R. K., M. H. Smith, S. Y. Yang; W. E. Johnson and J. B. Gentry, 1971. Biochemical polymorphism and systematics in the genusPeromyscus: Variation in the old-field mouse (Peromyscus polionotus).Univ. Texas Publ. Genet. VI:50–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B. H. and J. Wenzel, 1988. Pheromonal covariation and kinship in a social beeLasioglossum zephrum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 14:41–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strassmann, J. E., 1989. Altruism and relatedness at colony foundation in social insects.Trends in Ecology and Evolution 4:371–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strassmann, J. E., C. R. Hughes, D. C. Queller, S. Turillazzi, R. Cervo, S. D. Davis and K. F. Goodnight, 1989. Genetic relatedness in primitively eusocial wasps.Nature 342:268–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tschinkel, W. R. and D. F. Howard, 1983. Colony founding by pleometrosis in the fire ant,Solenopsis invicta.Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 12:102–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vehrencamp, S. L., 1983a. Optimal degree of skew in cooperative societies.Amer. Zool 23:327–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vehrencamp, S. L., 1983b. A model for the evolution of despotic versus egalitarian societies.Anim. Behav. 31:667–682.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, E. C., 1984.Enzyme Nomenclature: Recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry on the Nomenclature and Classification of Enzymecatalyzed Reactions. Academic Press, Orlando.

    Google Scholar 

  • West Eberhard, M. J., 1978. Polygyny and the evolution of social behavior in wasps.J. Kans. Ent. Soc. 51:832–856.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, 59812, Missoula, MT, USA

    P. F. Kukuk & G. K. Sage

Authors
  1. P. F. Kukuk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. K. Sage
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kukuk, P.F., Sage, G.K. Reproductivity and relatedness in a communal halictine beeLasioglossum (Chilalictus) hemichalceum . Ins. Soc 41, 443–455 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01240647

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01240647

Key words

Search

Navigation