Trade‐offs in the evolution of bumblebee colony and body size: a comparative analysis

摘要: Trade‐offs between life‐history traits – such as fecundity and survival have been demonstrated in several studies. In eusocial insects, the number of organisms their body sizes can affect fitness colony. Large‐than‐average well more individuals improve a colony's thermoregulation, foraging efficiency, fecundity. However, bumblebees, large colonies depend largely on high temperatures amount food resources. Bumblebee taxa be found temperate tropical regions world differ markedly colony sizes. Variation size may explained by costs benefits associated with evolutionary history each species particular environment. this study, we explored effect temperature precipitation (the latter was used an indirect indicator availability) twenty‐one bumblebee taxa. A comparative analysis controlling for phylogenetic effects queens, workers, males from indicated that both size. We negative association rainiest trimester, positive warmest month year. addition, male bumblebees tend to evolve larger places where rain occurs mostly summer overall is warmer. Moreover, relationship males, suggesting potential trade‐offs evolution