size of new queen

[islayhawk]

Is the size of a new Queen in Queen cell governed by the size of of the old queen - ie will a small Queen produce another small queen.

 

[Beefriendly]

Its been shown that the amount of nutrients in their early development determines the number of ovaries they have, which may have some influence on size. Doesn't make small queen bad' just able to lay less eggs over their lifetime.

 

[islayhawk]

But will any daughter Queens be also small by her genes

 

[Millet]

Its been shown that the amount of nutrients in their early development determines the number of ovaries they have, which may have some influence on size. Doesn't make small queen bad' just able to lay less eggs over their lifetime.

This new Queen i have here has been weaned on Karlsberg me thinks .

 

[Millet]

But will any daughter Queens be also small by her genes

I'm a midget but my Twin brother is 6ft and my other brother 6ft 2in, how on earth do specific genes make any difference, i may have lost the plot so i will appoligise.

 

[chrisb]

I'm a midget but my Twin brother is 6ft and my other brother 6ft 2in, how on earth do specific genes make any difference, i may have lost the plot so i will appoligise.

I lost the plot years ago

 

[Angularity]

Is the size of a new Queen in Queen cell governed by the size of of the old queen - ie will a small Queen produce another small queen.

Don't forget the influence of her father; only 50% of her genes come from the mother.

 

[B+.]

But will any daughter Queens be also small by her genes

No. Her diet determines her size. Her mother might be large but, if the colony are rearing lots of cells, the amount of food has to be shared between them. They might all be small if there isn't enough to go around. Conversely, the mother might be small, but, if the colony raises only a few cells, the daughters could be quite large.
I notice that Carniolans do have a particularly slim appearance (https://youtu.be/qOFyf93q9gk?t=1m30s) compared to some other bees so the overall body shape will be passed on though.

 

[mjt68]

I'd guess that size, like just about every heritable trait in people, plants and animals is a combination of genes and environmental factors. I'd say all else being equal, small queens will give smaller than average daughters but of course, all else is not equal as feeding etc. by workers will be different so the environmental factors will always be different.

You don't know if your small queen has a 'small' genotype or has the genetic potential for very large daughters but that phenotype has been hidden in her by the environment she was raised in. Remember too that size is polygenic and not a simple single gene affair.

Look up heritability and the breeders equation on wiki if you want to learn more.

 

[islayhawk]

Thanks for varied and interesting answers

 

[beeno]

No. Her diet determines her size.

... and gender.

 

[B+.]

... and gender.

Workers are "female" too. Shall we settle on "caste"?