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Adaptive dynamic resource allocation in annual eusocial insects: environmental variation will not necessarily promote graded control

, , , and . BMC Ecology, 7 (1): 16 (Dec 19, 2007)
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-7-16

Abstract

According to the classical model of Macevicz and Oster, annual eusocial insects should show a clear dichotomous ``bang-bang'' strategy of resource allocation; colony fitness is maximised when a period of pure colony growth (exclusive production of workers) is followed by a single reproductive period characterised by the exclusive production of sexuals. However, in several species graded investment strategies with a simultaneous production of workers and sexuals have been observed. Such deviations from the ``bang-bang'' strategy are usually interpreted as an adaptive (bet-hedging) response to environmental fluctuations such as variation in season length or food availability.

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