Genetic relatedness in early associations of Polistes dominulus: from related to unrelated helpers

摘要: Indirect benefits obtained through the reproduction of relatives are fundamental in formation and maintenance groups. Here, we examine hypothesis that females temperate paper wasp Polistes dominulus preferentially form groups with close relatives. Genetic relatedness data were for 180 collected at early stages nesting cycle a large population P. two sites southwestern Spain. Average within-group values ranged from 0.189 to 0.491. Foundresses on nests significantly more closely related than winter aggregations or stable (just before workers emerged). Within-group independent group size. The vast majority worker-producing (c. 85%) had one unrelated (or distantly related) remaining members group. These results provide further support indirect fitness alone unlikely explain why foundresses cooperative associations.