Description:
AbstractMating structure and genetic relatedness among gynes (potential reproductive females) of the paper waspPolistes snelleniwere investigated using DNA microsatellite markers. All colonies had one foundress inseminated by a single male, and no sign of inbreeding was detected. The mean genetic relatedness among gynes was 0.734 ± 0.028 (SE), which is not significantly different from the expected value of 0.75 for full sisters.