TY  - THES
A1  - Mitesser, Oliver
T1  - The evolution of insect life history strategies in a social context
T1  - Die Evolution von Lebenslaufstrategien bei Insekten in sozialem Kontext
N2  - This thesis extends the classical theoretical work of Macevicz and Oster (1976, expanded by Oster and Wilson, 1978) on adaptive life history strategies in social insects. It focuses on the evolution of dynamic behavioural patterns (reproduction and activity) as a consequence of optimal allocation of energy and time resources. Mathematical modelling is based on detailed empirical observations in the model species Lasioglossum malachurum (Halictidae; Hymenoptera). The main topics are field observations, optimisation models for eusocial life histories, temporal variation in life history decisions, and annual colony cycles of eusocial insects.
N2  - Diese Dissertation entwickelt die klassische theoretische Arbeit von Macevicz und Oster (1976, erweitert von Oster und Wilson, 1978) zu adaptiven Lebenslaufstrategien bei sozialen Insekten fort. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf der Evolution von dynamischen Verhaltensmustern (Reproduktion und Aktivität) als Resultat optimaler Allokation von Energie- und Zeitressourcen. Die mathematische Modellierung erfolgt auf Basis detaillierter Beobachtungsdaten zum Koloniezyklus der Furchenbiene Lasioglossum malachurum (Halictidae; Hymenoptera). Zentrale Themenbereiche sind Freilandbeobachtungen, Optimierungsmodelle für eusoziale Lebenslaufstrategien, zeitliche Variabilität bei Lebenslaufentscheidungen und der jährliche Koloniezyklus eusozialer Insekten.
KW  - Schmalbienen
KW  - Insektenstaat
KW  - Lebensdauer
KW  - Evolution
KW  - Mathematisches Modell
KW  - Evolution
KW  - Lebenslaufstrategien
KW  - soziale Insekten
KW  - mathematische Modellierung
KW  - Halictidae
KW  - evolution
KW  - life history strategy
KW  - social insects
KW  - mathematical model
KW  - Halictidae
Y1  - 2006
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-22576
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Mitesser, Oliver
A1  - Weissel, Norbert
A1  - Strohm, Erhard
A1  - Poethke, Hans J.
T1  - The evolution of activity breaks in the nest cycle of annual eusocial bees: A simple model of delayed exponential growth
N2  - Abstract: Background Social insects show considerable variability not only in social organisation but also in the temporal pattern of nest cycles. In annual eusocial sweat bees, nest cycles typically consist of a sequence of distinct phases of activity (queen or workers collect food, construct, and provision brood cells) and inactivity (nest is closed). Since the flight season is limited to the time of the year with sufficiently high temperatures and resource availability, every break reduces the potential for foraging and, thus, the productivity of a colony. This apparent waste of time has not gained much attention. Results We present a model that explains the evolution of activity breaks by assuming differential mortality during active and inactive phases and a limited rate of development of larvae, both reasonable assumptions. The model predicts a systematic temporal structure of breaks at certain times in the season which increase the fitness of a colony. The predicted pattern of these breaks is in excellent accordance with field data on the nest cycle of the halictid Lasioglossum malachurum. Conclusion Activity breaks are a counter-intuitive outcome of varying mortality rates that maximise the reproductive output of primitively eusocial nests.
Y1  - 2006
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-48196
ER  -