|
ADVERTISEMENT 
|
Copyright © 2007 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Genetic Diversity in Honey Bee Colonies Enhances Productivity and FitnessHeather R. Mattila*, and Thomas D. Seeley Abstract: Honey bee queens mate with many males, creating numerous patrilines within colonies that are genetically distinct. The effects of genetic diversity on colony productivity and long-term fitness are unknown. We show that swarms from genetically diverse colonies (15 patrilines per colony) founded new colonies faster than swarms from genetically uniform colonies (1 patriline per colony). Accumulated differences in foraging rates, food storage, and population growth led to impressive boosts in the fitness (i.e., drone production and winter survival) of genetically diverse colonies. These results further our understanding of the origins of polyandry in honey bees and its benefits for colony performance.
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: hrm24{at}cornell.edu
The editors suggest the following Related Resources on Science sites:In Science Signaling
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
|
Science Signaling. ISSN 1937-9145 (pre-2008: Science's STKE. ISSN 1525-8882)
Magazine | News | Signaling | Careers | Multimedia | Collections | Help | Site Map | RSS
Subscribe | Feedback | Privacy / Legal | About Us | Advertise With Us | Contact Us
© 2007 American Association for the Advancement of Science. All Rights Reserved.
AAAS is a partner of HINARI, AGORA, PatientInform, CrossRef, and COUNTER.
You have reached the bottom of the page. Back to top