Figure 1.

(a) Theoretical payoff to a subordinate of challenging the individual ahead of it in the queue to inherit dominant status, versus inheritance rank. In this model (model 1 of Cant et al. 2006a), a successful challenge leads to a reversal in dominance rank, but incurs a cost to group productivity. (b) Observed rates of aggression by subordinate Polistes dominulus to their immediate dominant as a function of their inheritance rank. Ranks were revealed by repeatedly removing rank 1 individuals and allowing the next individual in the queue to inherit (see Cant et al. 2006a for details). Points show means ± s.e.