Simulation of fig wasp inclusive fitness outcomes under differential hybrid embryo mortalities according to the ‘oviposition trade-off’ hypothesis
Inclusive fitness of individual wasp foundresses differed according to the imposition of CI-induced egg mortality (Fig. 5). As the population level of conspecific mating increases, a greater number of pixels (representing relative conspecific-heterospecifc mating fitness values) begin to favour the CI-induced egg mortality model (Table 1). Low levels of conspecific mating do not favour CI as minimal gains in favourable ovipositioning outcomes do not outweigh large-scale fecundity losses of heterospecific matings. At greater levels of conspecific mating (>60%), even marginal relative fitness differences between conspecific and heterospecific offspring (e.g., 0.55 versus 0.45, respectively) result in higher inclusive fitness for foundresses operating under CI-induced egg mortality. This is because favourable ovipositioning positively trades-off against reductions in foundress fecundity.