Mating, parasites and other trials of life in social insects.
Females of many animal species mate with several different males, despite the extra costs. Recent studies in social insects now suggest that the resulting increase in genotypic variance in offspring is beneficial under selection by parasites. This finding also helps to understand the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction.
Schmid-Hempel
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ETH Z]urich, Experimental Ecology, ETH-Zentrum, NW, CH-8092 Z]urich, Switzerland.
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007313:Insecta / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology