According to newer phylogenomic analysis of the *Polistinae + Vespinae* ancestor, what key feature was likely present at the beginning of eusociality?
Answer
Preimaginal Caste-Biasing (PCB)
Recent analysis focusing on the common ancestor leading to the paper wasps (*Polistinae*) and yellowjackets (*Vespinae*) contrasts sharply with older stepwise models. The newer evidence suggests that Preimaginal Caste-Biasing (PCB) was likely present when eusociality first emerged in this lineage. PCB implies that developmental trajectories leading to physiological differences between future queens and workers were established before the insects reached adulthood, perhaps even exhibiting early morphological distinctions, contrasting with the older theory that caste differences only appeared gradually after the adult stage.
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