Interindividual variability in social insects - proximate causes and ultimate consequences

摘要: Individuals within social groups often show consistent differences in behaviour across time and context. Such interindividual the evolutionary challenge they present have recently generated considerable interest. Social insects provide some of most familiar spectacular examples with large differences. Investigating these within-group has a long research tradition, behavioural variability among workers colony is increasingly regarded as fundamental for key feature insects: division labour. The goal this review to illustrate what we know about both proximate mechanisms underlying its ultimate consequences; highlight many open questions field. We begin by reviewing literature on that potentially introduce, maintain, adjust differentiation workers. fact so far, studies focused based genetic variability, provided e.g. multiple mating queen, while other may be responsible been largely neglected. These include maturational, nutritional environmental influences. further discuss how feedback environment learning experience adult provides potent little-explored sources differentiation. In second part, address known potential benefits costs increased colony. argue all documenting benefit far done manipulating direct test effect productivity yet provided. emphasize associated overlooked, better knowledge cost/benefit balance crucial our understanding evolution organization insect societies. conclude highlighting believe promising but avenues future within-colony evolved maintained. need comparative point out that, individual response thresholds, significance parameters response, such probability intensity overlooked. propose important consequences response. Much more needed understand if modulated order labour, homeostasis ultimately fitness insects.