Social evolution in orchid bees : potential drivers for the evolution and maintenance of sociality in Euglossa viridissima

Abstract

Understanding the evolutionary origins and the maintenance of eusociality has long been a central focus of evolutionary and ethological research. The core question is the evolution of sterile workers: why does an individual give up reproduction to help others reproduce? This fundamental question can best be analysed in species that demonstrate variable levels of social organisation. Such facultative social species provide the opportunity to identify selective pressures favouring helping versus reproduction within the same species and preferably within a common environment. By exploring the roles of extended maternal care, division of labour, relatedness and predation pressure in a facultative social species, this thesis contributes to our understanding of the costs and benefits associated with sociality. It thereby provides insights into evolutionary processes that influence the emergence and maintenance of sociality in this and other social species.