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cje ›› 1991, Vol. ›› Issue (5): 40-45.

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Evolution and Ecological Adaptation of Social Behaviours in Insects

Shang Yuchang   

  1. Department of Biology, Peking University, 100871
  • Received:1990-09-26 Revised:1991-02-11 Online:1991-10-10

Abstract: Eusocial insects are characterized by four attributes:(1)a great number of adults living together in a group;(2)generations overlapping;(3)cooperation among adults in nestbuilding and brood care;(4)existing reproductive dominance and castes. There is a continuous series from entirely solitary to highly eusocial. This sequence provides clues to the evolutionary steps, by which, eusociality has evolved. Cooperative behaviours could originate from mutualism, kin selection and reciprocation. But, for the reasons of genetics, conflicts always exist in a colony, which must be suppressed to make the eusociality maintained.

Key words: land use, vegetation cover dynamics, urbanization, Dapeng Peninsula