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The Multi-level Selection debate illustrated by the different degrees of eusociality in the wasp family Vespidae.

Meerwijk, A.J.H. van (2010) The Multi-level Selection debate illustrated by the different degrees of eusociality in the wasp family Vespidae. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

In the evolution of eusociality, a couple of mechanisms are thought to play an important role. Here, I will focus on how two types of selection processes ("MLS 1" vs. "MLS 2") might work within species showing different degrees of eusociality. Both selection processes point towards the importance of group-level processes, but where MLS 1 stresses that due to population structuring into groups the frequency of an individual trait might change differently than without structuring, MLS2 sees the group itself as a sole unit of selection. For four wasp species of the family Vespidae- all showing a different level of sociality in their colonies- I investigated how the described population fits into the MLS-framework. During this investigation, I took into account the underlying assumptions of the different Multi Level Selection processes. I conclude that complex Multi-Level Selection situations arise in all of the four cases, but none of them meets the strict criteria of the concept of MLS 2.

Item Type: Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Degree programme: Biology
Thesis type: Bachelor's Thesis
Language: English
Date Deposited: 15 Feb 2018 07:44
Last Modified: 15 Feb 2018 07:44
URI: https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/9382

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