Histology and Histochemistry of the Reproductive Tract of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Virgin and Physogastric Queens / Histologia e histoquímica do aparelho reprodutor de Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera, Apidae) em rainhas virgens e copuladas

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2006

RESUMO

Due to the economic and ecological importance, and the extinction risk that Meliponini is experiencing, many works were developed in search of understanding of reproductive biology of these bees. The importance of the mating for ovaries development and oocytes maturation in insects has been investigated, but there are few research concerning the consequences of the mating delay in the reproductive tract morphology. Here the morphological alterations caused for the mating delay in the reproductive tract of the Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides queens were described. The ovaries of the M. quadrifasciata anthidioides virgin queens remain in previtellogenic phase and from 15 days old they show degeneration signs. However, their ovaries are viable if the queen mates until 25 days old. The spermathecae of the physogastric queen has an well-developed epithelium other than virgin queens. In spermathecal glands, granules containing proteins and polysaccharides are identified in physogastric queens while in virgin queens the protein granules are lacking and the polysaccharide granules become fair as the time goes on.

ASSUNTO(S)

rainhas virgens morte celular programada melipona virgin queens melipona biologia geral ovaries ovários programmed cellular death

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