Gadagkar, R and Chandrashekara, K (2005) Behavioral Diversity and its Apportionment in a Primitively Eusocial Wasp. [Book Chapter]
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Gadagkar and Chandrashekara 2005-In Ananthakrishnan and Whitman.pdf - Published Version Download (5MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Phenotypic Plasticity and Behavioural Diversity Phenotypic plasticity refers to the phenomenon by which the same genotype gives rise to different phenotypes due to environmental variations (Schlichting and Pigliucci 1990). Phenotypic plasticity and its various synonyms have been used with different shades of meaning. West-Eberhard (2003) uses the phrase "developmental plasticity" in the most possible inclusive manner. Phenotypic plasticity can be seen in every aspect of the phenotype, anatomy, morphology, physiology, life history and especially behaviour. Given that the phenotype is a product of the interaction between genes and environment, the existence of phenotypic plqsticity is to be expected if the environment varies. That phenotypic plasticity helps organisms to cope with varying environments is also to be expected. The exact mechanisms of causation of phenotypic variation and its role in evolution are however the subject of much discussion (review in Schlichting and Pigliucci 1990, West-Eberhard 2003). In colonies of social insects, phenotypic plasticity takes on an altogether new significance. Because social insect colonies exhibit division of labour, differences between members of the colony are especially useful. While many social insects have morphologically differentiated workers specialized in different tasks, in other social insects behavioural differences among morphologically similar individuals help accomplish division of labour. The proximate mechanism that generate behavioural variation among the members of social insect colonies is much debated (reviewed in Bourke and Franks 1995). And yet, there has been insufficient attempt to develop quantitative methods to measure the extent of beha.vioural variability and understand its distribution among different levels of biological organization in insect societies. Inspired by Lewontin' s (1972) attempt to apportion human genetic diversity, here we develop the concept of behavioural diversity and attempt to apportion it between different hierarchical levels within an insect society. We first begin by describing the method used by Lewontin 1972, adapt it to the study of behavioural diversity, apply the adapted methodology to the _ primitively eusocial wasp Ropalidia marginata and discuss the implications of the results. Throughout this chapter we will use the phrase behavioural diversity as a proxy for phenotypic plasticity but of course it is obvious that behavioural diversity is one component of phenotypic plasticity.
| Item Type: | Book Chapter |
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| Publisher: | Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Additional Information: | copyright to this article belongs to SCIENCE PUBLISHERS, INC. |
| Keywords: | Behavioural diversity, Primitively eusocial wasp, Phenotypic plasticity, Genetic diversity, Humans, Ropalidia marginata, Caste differentiation |
| Department/Centre: | Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Mar 2021 06:44 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Mar 2021 06:44 |
| URI: | http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/68270 |
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