Evolutionarily stable nesting strategy in a digger wasp.

摘要: Abstract Two alternative “strategies” will not coexist in a population unless on average they are equally successful. The most likely way for such an equilibrium to be maintained is through something equivalent frequency-dependent selection. Females of the digger wasp Sphex ichneumoneus (Sphecidae) nest underground burrows. They usually dig and provision these by themselves but occasionally jointly occupied. two wasps fight whenever meet end only one females lays egg shared nest. models based theory mixed evolutionarily stable strategies were developed tested comprehensive field data from North American populations wasps. first model proposes called founding joining. Founders start burrows alone, more successful when joined joiner. At founders joiners successful, which amounts amicable, sharing relationship. predictions this amicable decisively rejected data. second digging entering. Diggers their own often have abandon because temporary unsuitability. Enterers move later, thereby exploiting abandoned as valuable resource. do distinguish adandoned burrow that still Therefore arises unfortunate product selection entering burrows, Model 2 model. Its quantitative impressively fulfilled population, though another population. This examples yet known strategy nature. Yet word itself can confuse, paper tries experiment substituting “decision”, defined moment at animal commits future time course action.