>
> >There are various developmental switches that can be turned on or off,
> leading to the differential expression of the genomes which the various
> nestmates have in common.


I'm in total agreement, Pete.

Which leads to another question: how much of the behavior of a colony is
> hard wired into the genome and how much is passed on through other pathways.


The question is not "how much," since anything hard-wired in the genome is
moot unless it is actually expressed in the bee.  Anything that we observe
in the phenotype is the result of epigenetic factors, including food,
environment, pathogen presence, pheromone exposure, age, etc.  This is what
I find fascinating!
-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm