Correct option is D
Understanding Haplodiploidy and Relatedness
In haplodiploid insects (e.g., bees, ants, wasps):
- Males are haploid (n) → They develop from unfertilized eggs and inherit all their genes from their mother.
- Females are diploid (2n) → They develop from fertilized eggs and inherit half their genes from the mother and half from the father.
- Genetic relatedness (r) is calculated using inheritance patterns.
Statement A: "A female is related to its son by 0.5." -Correct
- A female (mother) is diploid (2n), and her son is haploid (n).
- The son inherits all his genes from his mother and none from a father (because he develops from an unfertilized egg).
- Since the mother passes 100% of her genes to her son, the relatedness is 0.5 (as only half of her genes are shared with her son).
Statement B: "A female is related to its brother by 0.5."- Incorrect
- Sisters in haplodiploid species are more closely related to each other than to their brothers.
- A female receives half her genes from her mother and half from her father.
- Her brother (haploid) inherits all his genes from their mother and none from their father.
- Thus, the genetic relatedness between a female and her brother is 0.25, NOT 0.5.
Statement C: "A male is related to its mother by 1." -Correct
- A male (haploid) inherits 100% of his genome from his mother since he develops from an unfertilized egg.
- He does not have a father and has an exact genetic copy of his mother’s genome.
- Thus, the relatedness is 1.
Statement D: "A male is related to its daughter by 1." - Correct
- A male can produce daughters only through fertilization, meaning his daughter will inherit 100% of his haploid genome.
- Since the daughter is diploid, half of her genome comes from her father.
- Thus, the relatedness between a male and his daughter is 1.
