Intraspecific genetic variation and haplodiploidy, eusociality, and polygyny in the Hymenoptera.

Abstract

Mean heterozygosity values for 101 insect species were analyzed to test a series of hypotheses concerning the patterning of genetic variability within the Hymenoptera. The following conclusions are drawn. 1) 50 hymenopteran species have significantly lower H values than do 51 diplodiploid non-hymenopterans. 2) Among Hymenoptera, primitively eusocial species are less genetically variable than either solitary or advanced eusocial species. The latter 2 groups do not differ. 3) Among ants studied, polygynous and monogynous species have similar levels of genetic variability.-from Author