Miller Sara E, Legan Andrew W, Flores Zoe A, Ng Hong Yu, Sheehan Michael J
Cornell University Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Biol J Linn Soc Lond. 2019 Feb;126(3):614-622. doi: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly191. Epub 2018 Dec 18.
Paper wasps (genus ) are one of the most species-rich genera of social insect. Prior studies have found that male coloration, male colour pattern, territory choice and female caste are potential drivers of intraspecific mate choice in paper wasps. However, there has been no formal assessment of interspecific mate choice in this group; therefore, the mechanism driving diversification in paper wasps remains an open question. In this study, we measured interspecific and intraspecific mating behaviour between two closely related species of paper wasps, and . These two species have ample opportunity to interbreed because and forage, nest and mate in the same habitats. We tested the strength of reproductive isolation between these species using no-choice and choice mating trials. Our results show strong, symmetric, prezygotic isolation between and . Males discriminated between conspecifics and heterospecifics but attempted to mate with females of the other species in ~10% of heterospecific mating trials. Female wasps were more discriminating than males and probably evaluated species identity and male quality through visual or olfactory cues. We additionally report sexual dimorphism in body size.
胡蜂（属）是社会性昆虫中物种最丰富的属之一。先前的研究发现，雄性体色、雄性颜色模式、领地选择和雌性品级是胡蜂种内配偶选择的潜在驱动因素。然而，该类群中种间配偶选择尚未有正式评估；因此，驱动胡蜂多样化的机制仍是一个悬而未决的问题。在本研究中，我们测量了两种近缘胡蜂物种和之间的种间和种内交配行为。这两个物种有充足的杂交机会，因为它们在相同的栖息地觅食、筑巢和交配。我们通过无选择和选择交配试验测试了这些物种之间生殖隔离的强度。我们的结果表明，和之间存在强烈、对称的合子前隔离。雄性能够区分同种和异种，但在约10%的异种交配试验中试图与其他物种的雌性交配。雌蜂比雄蜂更具辨别力，可能通过视觉或嗅觉线索评估物种身份和雄性质量。我们还报告了在体型上的两性异形。
