The paper wasp Polistes dominulus is an example of an altruistic species that seem to counter evolutionary theory. Most altruistic species will help rear offspring produced by a related female, like their sister or mother so the offspring will share at least some of their genes. The paper wasp by contrast often helps non-relatives to breed, forming a social nest with other individuals, with one egg-laying female dominating and the other wasps rearing the offspring. The advantage to the wasp may be because they can sometimes rise up the ranks and become the dominant, egg-laying female themselves. So the short term "selfless" effort in the nest of others could pay off in the longer term.
Posted by Astrojenny
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2 comments:
Sounds like a career path to me ;o)
You're in the wrong job Ant! ;)
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