Identity in social insects
Individuality thesis
In the eusocial wasp Metapolybia cingulata, every individual fulfils a specific role in the colony in terms of nest building and for this reason the colony is able to thrive and actually have a nest. The roles have been categorized as: specialized water foragers, specialized pulp foragers, active builders, active generalists, and idle workers. If even one of these roles, even the "idle workers", did not accomplish their goal, the colony as a whole would be unsuccessful in maintaining a nest and would ultimately die.[4]
Recognition through hydrocarbons
Some species of ants have evolved to have the ability to recognize other individuals from their colony to avoid aggression when met. The mechanics of this recognition are mediated by a mixture of specific signatures emanating from the individual, this mixture is a blend of
Conflicts
Organisations built from individuals rather than cells face innate problems when it comes to reproduction. A collection of individuals that make up the colony result in a less-than-one relatedness which therefore causes conflict over the allocation of reproduction. The effects of these differences cost the whole colony as the colony must produce offspring that have genes suppressing the behaviors that allow conflict to arise.[3]
References
- ^ PMID 22461777.
- ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "Social Insect and the Individuality Thesis: Cohesion and the Colony as a Selectable Individual" (PDF). Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ^ PMID 16769429.
- S2CID 11064386.