Article
Genetic diversity and disease resistance in leaf-cutting ant societies.
Evolution; international journal of organic evolution - 1 Jun 2004
Hughes William O H, Boomsma Jacobus J
Abstract excerpt
Multiple mating by females (polyandry) remains hard to explain because, while it has substantial costs, clear benefits have remained elusive. The problem is acute in the social insects because polyandry is probably particularly costly for females and most material benefits of the behavior are unlikely to apply. It has been suggested that a fitness benefit may arise from the more genetically diverse worker force...
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