So far in these simple genetics articles we have looked at the genetic
make up of the queens and drones and explained how these genetic
charateristics can affect colonies. A key factor in all this is the number
of chromosomes in bees. Lets recapitulate: Drones result from un-
fertilised eggs (parthenogenesis). They have no father.
Eggs and sperm carry 16 chromosomes each.
Each egg contains a unique combination of 50% of the queen's genes
and sperm contains 100% of the drone's genes.
All 10 million sperm produced by a drone are identical clones. As a
drone results from a queen only, he inherits her characteristics, con-
verting her egg into sperm and carrying this to another queen.
Since each queen mates with 10-20 drones, colonies are comprised of
subfamilies, each having the same mother but different fathers.
(Ed note: Our European honey bee queen mates on a mean average
of 12.48 where 1.00 indicates single mating. There are studies
where this is vastly exceeded. In one study the European queen
was recorded at 45 matings. Apis dorsata, the giant honeybee,
even recorded 100 matings. However, Hymenoptera (ants, bees,
wasps) as a group has a very low mating/paternity average.
Multiple mating is the exception. And the exception in Hymenoptera
are Apis, Vespula and a couple of ant species.)
Workers of the same subfamily are related by 75% of their genes.
This "extra" close relatedness may explain the cooperative, and altruistic behaviours found in colonies. It may also explain why workers
forego their own reproduction in favour of helping their queen
mother raise more sisters. Their sisters are more closely related to
them than their own offspring would be . (75% vs 50%).