Genetic specialists, kin recognition and nepotism in honey-bee colonies

Abstract

INSECT societies have long served as useful models in the study of two often intertwined issues in evolutionary biology: the levels at which natural selection operates¹, and the phenomena of competition and cooperation in animal societies². Hamilton^3–5 provided a darwinian explanation for the evolution of cooperation by invoking natural selection for increased inclusive fitness, whereas Trivers and Hare⁶ showed how asymmetrical genetic relationships among members of hymenopteran societies result in differential fitness among queens and workers and can lead to conflict over the production of males. Here we provide evidence for competition among workers of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, in the production of female reproductives, a consequence of the genetic structure of colonies resulting from polyandry⁷, genotypic biases in components of cooperative behaviour associated with division of labour^8–10, and kin recognition^11–13. We also propose that nepotistic behaviour by honey bees is influenced by both kin- and colony-level selection.