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eusocial

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

eusocial Describing the most highly developed form of animal societies, such as those of colonial ants, termites, wasps, and bees (see Hymenoptera). Typically there is extensive division of labour and cooperation, with various castes each performing particular tasks, such as food-gathering, defence, or tending to the young. Reproduction is undertaken by an elite of fertile individuals, assisted by sterile workers. Moreover, there is an overlap of different generations within the colony at any one time, and continuity of the society is maintained from year to year. Some vertebrate animals may display equivalent levels of social organization. For example, colonies of naked mole rats have a caste system, with nonbreeding adult members that forage, maintain the burrow, or simply keep the other group members warm.

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eusocial

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

eusocial Highly social (e.g. termites, ants, honey bees, and, the only known example among mammals, naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber)).

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "eusocial." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "eusocial." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-eusocial.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "eusocial." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-eusocial.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	First mammal joins the eusocial club. Magazine article from: Science News; 12/2/2000
	A shrimpy find: communal crustaceans. (Synalpheus regalis is the only marine... Magazine article from: Science News; 6/8/1996
	A tribute to laborsof colony insects.(Neighbor) Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 9/6/2010