Reconhecimento parental em abelhas eussociais Neotropicais (Hymenoptera: Apinae, Meliponini): uma análise dos mediadores químicos e seus determinantes em Frieseomelitta varia / Kin recognition in neotropical eusoccial bees (hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini): analysis of chemical mediators and its determinants for Frieseomelitta varia

AUTOR(ES)
FONTE

IBICT - Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

22/02/2008

RESUMO

The ability to discriminate among genetic related individuals has a main importance in the Kin selection Hamiltons theory. Social insects use odor cues in recognition systems, and the main used cues are compounds present in their cuticle. These cues may originate from endogenous and exogenous sources. The exogenous cues may be absorbed from nest materials, food or even from the queen. There are numerous reports concerning the origin of these cues in ants, termites, honeybees and solitary bees, although, little is known about stingless bees. Therefore, the present work had as main objectives the study of the chemical composition of Frieseomelitta varias cuticle and the verification of food and nest materials influence in the constitution of the cues used in recognition systems. A total of 48 compounds were identified in the cuticle of F. varia. The main compounds were hydrocarbons, divided into alkanes, alkenes and alkadienes. The hydrocarbons varied from 21 to 31 carbon atoms and those found in highest concentrations were heptacosane and nonacosane. The compounds varied between castes, gender and age. The behavioral tests, in agreement with the chemical analyses, showed that the individuals absorb chemical compounds from nest material. However, the results showed that food convergence imply neither in a higher acceptance of the individuals nor in a chemical convergence.

ASSUNTO(S)

hidrocarbonetos hydrocarbons insetos sociais recognition reconhecimento social insects stingless bees abelhas sem ferrão chemical ecology ecologia quimica

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