Theoretical Research in Evolutionary Life Sciences, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands.
Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Aug 13;121(33):e2402179121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2402179121. Epub 2024 Aug 7.
Eusocial organisms typically live in colonies with one reproductive queen supported by thousands of sterile workers. It is widely believed that monogamous mating is a precondition for the evolution of eusociality. Here, we present a theoretical model that simulates a realistic scenario for the evolution of eusociality. In the model, mothers can evolve control over resource allocation to offspring, affecting offspring's body size. The offspring can evolve body-size-dependent dispersal, by which they disperse to breed or stay at the nest as helpers. We demonstrate that eusociality can evolve even if mothers are not strictly monogamous, provided that they can constrain their offspring's reproduction through manipulation. We also observe the evolution of social polymorphism with small individuals that help and larger individuals that disperse to breed. Our model unifies the traditional kin selection and maternal manipulation explanations for the evolution of eusociality and demonstrates that-contrary to current consensus belief-eusociality can evolve despite highly promiscuous mating.
真社会性生物通常生活在由一只生殖蚁后和成千上万只不育工蚁组成的群体中。人们普遍认为，一夫一妻制交配是真社会性进化的前提。在这里，我们提出了一个理论模型，模拟了真社会性进化的现实场景。在该模型中，母亲可以进化出对后代资源分配的控制，从而影响后代的体型。后代可以进化出体型依赖的扩散行为，即它们可以作为帮手分散到巢穴外繁殖，或者留在巢穴中。我们证明，即使母亲不是严格的一夫一妻制，只要她们能够通过操纵来限制后代的繁殖，真社会性也可以进化。我们还观察到具有帮助作用的小个体和具有繁殖作用的大个体的社会多态性的进化。我们的模型统一了传统的亲缘选择和母性操纵解释，证明了与当前共识相反，真社会性可以在高度滥交的交配下进化。
