Population Structure and Kinship in Polistes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae): An Analysis Using Ribosomal DNA and Protein Electrophoresis

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Abstract
Six variable protein loci and one variable ribosomal DNA restriction site were used for an analysis of population structure in five species of Polistes from Texas. A sample-reuse algorithm was developed that estimated F , F , and ø (the coefficient of kinship) from probabilities of identity. Of the four species analyzed in detail only one, Polistes exclamans, had statistically significant values of F . These values may reflect natural constraints on successful nesting for migrants of this species. Three of the four species had significant values of F and three of the four species had significant values of ø. In many cases ø also differed from the expected value under haplodiploidy and random mating. Values of ø did not differ from expectations under haplodiploidy and local inbreeding. These results emphasize that theories of social behavior and evolution based on coefficients of kinship should include some explicit consideration of population structure.

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