Selection of larvae for queen rearing by workers in the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) − nepotism or different maternal supply? [Elektronische Ressource] / Saad Naser Saad AL-Kahtani. Gutachter: Kaspar Bienefeld ; Kurt-Johannes Peters ; Ricarda Scheiner

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Dissertation Selection of Larvae for Queen Rearing by Workers in the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) − Nepotism or Different Maternal Supply? zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades doctor rerum agriculturarum (Dr. rer. agr.) Eingereicht an der Landwirtschaftlich-Gärtnerischen Fakultät der HumboldtUniversität zu Berlin von AL-Kahtani, Saad Naser Saad Präsident der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Prof. Dr. Jan-Hendrik Olbertz Dekan der Landwirtschaftlich-Gärtnerischen Fakultät Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Frank Ellmer Gutachter: 1. Prof. Dr. agr. habil. Kaspar Bienefeld 2. Prof. Dr. agr. Kurt-Johannes Peters 3. PD Dr. Ricarda Scheiner Datum der Promotion: 27.07.2011 II Abstract Natural selection favours an efficient cooperation within eusocial colonies. However, in polyandrous species, queen rearing may provide some conflict. Worker bees are assumed to play a nepotistic role during the queen-rearing phase by preferring more closely related larvae. Honeybee workers were found to be able to discriminate between different related individuals, but published data are inconsistent.