A thelytokous predatory mite is more cannibalistic towards distant kin  

作　　者：Keshi Zhang Zhi-Qiang Zhang 

机构地区：[1]School of Biological Sciences,University of Auckland,3A Symonds Street,Auckland,1072,New Zealand and [2]Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research,231 Morrin Road,Auckland,1072,New Zealand

出　　处：《Current Zoology》2023年第5期578-584,共7页动物学报（英文版）

基　　金：This study was supported in part by New Zealand Government core funding for Crown Research Institutes from the Ministry of Business,Innovation and Employment’s Science and Innovation Group.

摘　　要：Kin recognition has been widely observed in various taxa.Cannibalism avoidance may be a strong driver for the evolution of kin recognition,as it may avoid a reduction in inclusive fitness.Kin recognition has recently been observed in a generalist phytoseiid,Amblyseius herbicolus(Acari:Phytoseiidae).This study experimentally examined the degree of relatedness needed between prey larvae and cannibal adults of A.herbicolus for the occurrence of kin discrimination.The adults were individually placed in enclosed arenas with two prey,a daughter and a more distant related larva,to observe their cannibalizing choice.The adults of A.herbicolus did not discriminate between close relatives(daughter versus niece)but preferably cannibalized more distant kin(i.e.,first and second cousins once removed).Phenotype matching and familiarization seem prominent as recognition mechanisms used by A.herbicolus adults.The effect of learning on kin recognition through prior contact in A.herbicolus requires further investigation.Studies on other adaptive functions of kin recognition of A.herbicolus,such as cooperation and parental care,may provide meaningful insights.

关 键 词：ACARI CANNIBALISM choice test close kin DISCRIMINATION kin recognition 

分 类 号：Q969[生物学—昆虫学]