Sex allocation and clutch size in parasitoid wasps that produce single-sex broods
Article Abstract:
The parasitoid wasp genus Achrysocharoides zwoelferi Delucchi produces single-egg clutches of males and small clutches of females. A theoretical study shows how the optimum female clutch size increases and the optimum proportion of male clutches falls as severe host limitation occurs. Simple models were used to predict optimum reproductive strategies, based on the assumption that competition resulted in different-sized male and female clutches. The study shows that the factors limiting reproductive success influence life-history strategies.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1999
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Local mate competition, variable fecundity and information use in a parasitoid
Article Abstract:
Sex allocation was examined when two females of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis oviposited simultaneously on a path. Findings showed a negative correlation between the offspring sex ratio produced by a female and the number of offspring that she laid but a positive correlation between the former and the body size of the other female on the patch. These results indicate that female-biased sex ratio increases as the female produces a greater proportion of the total offspring laid on the patch.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1998
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A comparative study of virginity in fig wasps
Article Abstract:
Virginity among fig wasps should have a negative correlation with average offspring numbers. This model has been tested using data from 4 continents, 15 genera of fig wasps and 53 species. Virginity and brood size do correlate but there is no correlation between sex ratio and virginity. Sex ratio is one way of measuring local mate competition. A formal comparative analysis gives a similar finding where a phylogeny is used for the analysis.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1997
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