9510126 Queller Drs. Queller and Strassmann will work on several species of Polistes paper wasps, each chosen for characteristics that make it particularly suitable for studying one kind of conflict. . They have developed DNA microsatellite loci that will provide an unusually clear picture of the genetic structure of colonies. This research should reveal much about the expression and resolution of genetic conflicts of interest. It will test elements of kin selection theory that are relevant to a wide range of species. It may provide general insights into the evolution of other kinds of cooperative entities, from the eukaryotic cell to multicellular organisms. On the practical side, the research will utilize and contribute to the new technology surrounding microsatellite genes, a particular method of genetic fingerprinting important in many areas, including evolutionary studies, conservation genetics, forensics, and gene-mapping studies for agricultural and medical needs. It will also provide test data sets for new methods of estimating relatedness being developed in the same laboratory. Besides contributing to the training of postdoctoral and graduate students, Queller and Strassmann encourage participation of undergraduates, high school students, and teachers who take the knowledge they gain back to the classroom.
