The evolution of caste plasticity and caste dimorphism in insect societies KU Leuven
Social insects are a key model in the study of sociality and a prime example of “major transitions in evolution”, where previously independently breeding individuals teamed up and went on to live in highly advanced societies. Insect societies are characterized by a reproductive division of labour in which queens specialise in breeding and workers engage mostly in non-reproductive tasks. For comparative studies, Hymenopteran insects are an ...