Document Detail


When workers disunite: intraspecific parasitism by eusocial bees.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17600462     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
One of the most obvious characteristics of an insect society is reproductive cooperation. Yet insect colonies are vulnerable to reproductive parasitism, both by workers from their own colony and by workers from others. Little is known about the mechanisms insect societies have evolved to protect themselves from being exploited from within and outside the colony and the mechanisms that social parasites have evolved to circumvent these mechanisms. Here we showcase recently discovered cases of intraspecific parasitism by workers in eusocial bees. These discoveries overturn the widespread view that insect colonies are like fortresses populated by female eunuchs, and yield important insights into the mechanisms that normally enforce functional worker sterility.
Authors:
Madeleine Beekman; Benjamin P Oldroyd
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Annual review of entomology     Volume:  53     ISSN:  0066-4170     ISO Abbreviation:  Annu. Rev. Entomol.     Publication Date:  2008  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-12-10     Completed Date:  2008-11-10     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0372367     Medline TA:  Annu Rev Entomol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  19-37     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Behavior and Genetics of Social Insects Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. mbeekman@bio.usyd.edu.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Bees / physiology*
Female
Hierarchy, Social*
Male
Oviposition
Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology*
Social Behavior

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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