Multigene phylogeny reveals eusociality evolved twice in vespid wasps
Heather M Hines1, James H Hunt, Timothy K O'Connor
1Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Summary
Vespidae wasps likely evolved social behavior twice independently, not once from a common ancestor. This challenges the long-held view of a single origin for eusociality in these insects.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Entomology
- Genetics
Background:
- Eusocial wasps (Vespidae) were believed to have a single origin of social behavior from a common ancestor.
- This hypothesis, supported by previous phylogenetic studies, suggested a monophyletic clade for eusocial subfamilies (Stenogastrinae, Polistinae, Vespinae).
- This view has dominated vespid social evolution research for over 20 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phylogenetic relationships within the Vespidae family.
- To re-evaluate the evolutionary history of eusociality in wasps.
- To challenge the existing hypothesis of a single origin for social behavior in Vespidae.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequence data from four nuclear gene fragments (18S, 28S ribosomal DNA, abdominal-A, RNA polymerase II).
- Inclusion of representatives from all six extant Vespidae subfamilies.
- Comparative analysis of the generated phylogeny against existing hypotheses.
Main Results:
- The study's phylogeny indicates two independent origins of eusociality in Vespidae.
- Eusociality originated once in the Polistinae+Vespinae clade and once in the Stenogastrinae.
- Stenogastrinae represent an early diverging lineage, distantly related to Polistinae and Vespinae, suggesting a separate evolutionary path to social behavior.
Conclusions:
- The findings contradict the prevailing hypothesis of a single origin of eusociality in Vespidae.
- Results support earlier theories based on life history and behavior, suggesting dual evolutionary pathways to sociality.
- This revised understanding has significant implications for interpreting the transitional stages of social evolution in wasps.
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