Intrinsic survival advantage of social insect queens depends on reproductive activation

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Olav RueppellAlexandra Schrempf

Abstract

The central trade-off between reproduction and longevity dominates most species' life history. However, no mortality cost of reproduction is apparent in eusocial species, particularly social insects in the order Hymenoptera: one or a few individuals (typically referred to as queens) in a group specialize on reproduction and are generally longer lived than all other group members (typically referred to as workers), despite having the same genome. However, it is unclear whether this survival advantage is due to social facilitation by the group or an intrinsic, individual property. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the correlation between reproduction and longevity is due to a direct mechanistic link or an indirect consequence of the social role of the reproductives. To begin addressing these questions, we performed a comparison of queen and worker longevity in the ant Cardiocondyla obscurior under social isolation conditions. Survival of single queens and workers was compared under laboratory conditions, monitoring and controlling for brood production. Our results indicate that there is no intrinsic survival advantage of queens relative to workers unless individuals are becoming reproductively active. This interactive effect of ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 11, 2016·Current Opinion in Insect Science·Jane de Verges, Volker Nehring
Feb 18, 2016·Molecular Ecology·Katharina von WyschetzkiJürgen Heinze
Oct 11, 2016·Current Opinion in Insect Science·Jan Oettler, Alexandra Schrempf
Oct 11, 2016·Current Opinion in Insect Science·Daniel ElsnerErich Bornberg-Bauer
Jul 14, 2017·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Pierre BlacherAndrew F G Bourke
Mar 30, 2017·Die Naturwissenschaften·Philip KohlmeierSusanne Foitzik
Mar 9, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Jürgen Heinze, Julia Giehr
Mar 9, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Judith Korb, Jürgen Heinze
Mar 9, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Matteo Antoine NegroniSusanne Foitzik
Mar 9, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Anissa KennedyOlav Rueppell
Mar 9, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Megha MajoeVolker Nehring

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