Unit_2.2.3_Origin_and_Evolution_of_Eusocial_Insects

Eusocial Insects

Insects that exhibit a complex social structure, characterized by cooperative brood care, overlapping generations, and division of labor.

Hymenoptera

An order of insects that includes bees, wasps, and ants, many of which are eusocial.

Haplodiploid

A sex-determination system in which fertilized eggs develop into females (diploid) and unfertilized eggs develop into males (haploid).

Polyphenism

The phenomenon where a single genotype can produce two or more distinct phenotypes depending on environmental conditions.

Kin Selection

The evolutionary strategy that favors the reproductive success of an organism's relatives, even at a cost to the organism's own survival.

Group Selection

Natural selection that favors the survival of a group over the individual within that group.

Maternal Manipulation

The process by which a mother influences the development and behavior of her offspring through environmental or genetic means.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Inquilines

Organisms that live within the home of another organism, often benefiting from the relationship.

Trophallaxis

The process of feeding between members of a social group, often to share nutrients.

Cryptocercus

A genus of wood-feeding cockroaches that are closely related to termites.

Patch Distribution

The arrangement or dispersion of resources in different areas that may affect the social behavior of eusocial insects.

Relatedness in Bees

The statistical likelihood that two individuals share a common ancestor, affecting social behaviors and interactions in colonies.

Intermediate forms

Evolutionary forms that display features of two different species, providing insight into the evolutionary process.

XX/XY Chromosome

A chromosomal system that determines the sex of an organism, typically in insects and mammals.

Nutrient Poor Diet

A diet lacking in essential nutrients, which can affect the health and social structure of eusocial insects.

Diploid Female Bee

A female bee that has two sets of chromosomes and can produce diploid eggs.

Haploid Male Bee

A male bee that develops from an unfertilized egg and has one set of chromosomes.

Sister Half-Sister

Refers to the genetic relationship among members of a bee colony with differing relatedness due to different mothers.

Evolution of Eusociality

The process through which eusocial behaviors and structures have developed over time in various insect lineages.

Relatedness Coefficient

A metric that quantifies the genetic relatedness between individuals, influencing social behaviors in colonies.