Bob writes:

>William L Hunt wrote:
>>  Does anyone (Edser?) think that self-determination of caste is NOT
>> occurring in the Melopine stingless bees?
>> 
>Nothing you wrote seems to rule out maternal effects - i.e. it's the 
>queen who's determining caste.  You can then explain the excess females 
>as bet-hedging, as their caste is determined some time before hatching.
>
>Just an alternative hypothesis.

A more recent, very brief reference to Kerr's thoughts on Melopine caste
determination can be found at:

      http://www.chemecol.org/meetings/99/p-60.html

An even more detailed, although short summary of the differences between the
caste determination mechanisms associated with Melopina vs. the other social
bees can be found at:

     http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/projects/taplab/twenseleers.html

Wirt Atmar
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