Why is failure to develop working ovaries not evidence of voluntary altruism? How can it be explained in the context of worker policing?
If hymenopteran workers in some cases fail to even develop their ovaries for reproduction, why is this not direct evidence that they are voluntarily behaving altruistically? How could enforced altruism lead to workers failing to attempt to reproduce?
A one page article gives evidence of policing being a strong force in "altruistic" actions.
https://lirias.kuleuven.be/bitstream/123456789/69648/1/wenseleers_ratnieks_nature_2006_enforced+altruism.pdf
If hymenopteran workers in some cases fail to even develop their ovaries for reproduction, why is this not direct evidence that they are voluntarily behaving altruistically? How could enforced altruism lead to workers failing to attempt to reproduce?
A one page article gives evidence of policing being a strong force in "altruistic" actions.
https://lirias.kuleuven.be/bitstream/123456789/69648/1/wenseleers_ratnieks_nature_2006_enforced+altruism.pdf
1 Answer
Nov 5, 2017
Eggs that are eaten represent a cost to the workers
Explanation:
If the eggs are eaten before they can develop, the worker incurs a net cost. Failure to develop ovaries can allow avoidance of this cost, so it is the policing driving the loss of fertility.
