File(s) not publicly available
Kin recognition and inbreeding reluctance in bumblebees
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 18:58 authored by Penelope R Whitehorn, Matthew C Tinsley, Dave GoulsonDave GoulsonInbreeding frequently has a costly impact on fitness, thus selection has favoured the evolution of kin recognition and inbreeding avoidance behaviour in many species. As haplodiploid Hymenoptera, bumblebees are susceptible to additional costs of inbreeding due to their single-locus complementary sex determination (sl-CSD) system, which means that incest can result in the production of costly diploid males. Here we test whether Bombus terrestris reproductives are able to discriminate between kin and non-kin and whether their willingness to mate is adjusted accordingly. We found that B. terrestris reproductives took significantly longer to mate with siblings compared to non-relatives. This indicates that this species exhibits kin recognition and uses this information to determine mating behaviour. © INRA/DIB-AGIB/ EDP Sciences, 2009.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
ApidologieISSN
0044-8435Publisher
Springer VerlagExternal DOI
Issue
6Volume
40Page range
627-633Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes