Histochemistry and protein profile of the mandibular glands of workers of the ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Insect mandibular glands are always associated to the mandibles; they are part of the salivary glandular system. The mandibular glands are composed by a reservoir associated to the secretory cells, with each secretory cell connected to the reservoir by means of individual canaliculi. These glands play an important role in the production of pheromones, which are compounds involved in defense, communication, and reproduction of the colony. Mandibular glands of soldiers and major and minor workers of the ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa were processed for different histochemical tests, total protein content, and protein electrophoretic profile determination. The histochemical tests detected the presence of lipids, DNA/RNA, polysaccharides, and proteins at different regions of the gland. The protein electrophoretic profiles showed that the total protein content as well as the number of peptides of each caste follow a progressive order in relation to the size of the individual. Thus, we suggest that the production of secretion is directly linked to the task that the individual performs in the colony.

The chemical composition of the mandibular gland secretion of Melipona bicolor lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini): A comparative study among castes and sexes

The mandibular gland secretions of newly emerged, nurse and forager workers, virgin and physogastric queens and males of Melipona bicolor were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The secretion is composed of a blend of hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, and acids. The secretion is caste-sex specific and also differs with the tasks performed by the workers and the physiological reproductive condition of the queens.

Morphohistochemical characterization of the perivisceral fat body in royal and worker female castes in different ages of Atta sexdens rubropilosa ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

The morphohistochemical study of the fat body in royal and worker castes of Atta sexdens rubropilosa revealed that this tissue is made up of trophocytes and oenocytes, trophocytes being the cells with cytoplasmic inclusions and irregular nuclei and the oenocytes cells with homogeneous cytoplasm and rounded nuclei. The trophocytes of queens presented many lipidic and proteic granules, while those of workers presented trophocytes with fine granulation in the cytoplasm constituted mainly by lipids and carbohydrates. The oenocytes from the worker caste of A. s. rubropilosa presented cytoplasm filled mainly with lipoproteic material.

Nutritional and social hierarchy establishment of the primitively eusocial wasp Mischocyttarus cassununga (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Mischocyttarini) and related aspects

The results on the nutritional influence in the social hierarchy establishment among females from six colonies of Mischocyttarus cassununga show that: - there was no caste determination in the pre-imaginal period concerning ingested food quantities, however, in relation to qualification (proteins and carbohydrate) the Mann-Whitney test applied showed variation among colonies: in two colonics (colony 3, p=0.0209; colony 4, p=0.0090) the larvae which ingested a higher quantity of solid food became adults of hierarchically higher position, however in two other colonies, colony 1 (p=0.6744) and colony 2 (p=0.3367) this difference was not statistically significant; in two experimentally manipulated colonies the caste determination was observed in the imaginal phase (it was verified that the larger the food quantity consumed, the higher the assumed hierarchical position by the individuals); - adult individuals of hierarchically higher position in two colonies ingested a greater amount of solid than liquid food (Mann-Whitney; p ≤ 0.05), however in the other three colonies there was no difference. It can be seen that for all colonies (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) the high tendency to solid food ingestion occurs. In colony 1, this data was not collected because the observation purpose was different); - inside the colony hierarchy, the older individuals were the ones that occupied higher hierarchical positions; - more than one inseminated female per colony was found in the two experimentally manipulated colonies ; - ovarian development is greater in inseminated females; - the average height of the 3rd tergite was greater for inseminated females, indicating an adaptation to accommodate larger ovary development (t-Student test; p ≤ 0.05).

The role of workers in transferring queen substances and the differences between worker castes in the leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The present study focused on the relationship between the queen and workers in Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus colonies mediated by the possible transfer of substances from the fertile to the sterile caste. The queens were submitted to different situations of physical limitation, i.e., they were kept isolated in cages with holes that only permitted the entry of workers but left the queen isolated. A tracer (water-soluble dye) was applied to the pronotum and gaster of the queen and its dispersal among workers was analyzed. The results demonstrated that the minor sub caste (0.7-0.9 mm) passed on the dye through allogrooming and self-grooming, or transferred the dye through trophallaxis to the major sub caste (1.2-2.0 mm) when they were not in direct contact with the queen. These findings indicate the communication and probable transfer of substances from the queen to the workers, as well as a substance transfer between workers.

Brood care and male behavior in queenless Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies under laboratory conditions

In this study we describe and quantify the brood care performed by workers in queenless colonies of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus. Fifteen behavioral acts were recorded in the three colonies studied. The behavioral repertoire of males was more limited, with only four behavioral acts being observed: feeding through workers, collecting staphylae and self-feeding, mutual grooming between adults (worker-males), and self-grooming. Males were also found to be able to collect food (staphylae or fungal hyphae) from the fungus garden and to feed themselves, not requiring workers for this activity. This study contributes to a better understanding of the basic biology of leaf-cutting ant colonies, with the description and quantification of the activities performed by the members of a colony in a situation of the loss of the fertile caste.

The behavior and natural history of Chartergellus, a little-known genus of neotropical social wasps (Vespidae Polistinae Epiponini)

This study reviews published data on the behavior and natural history of Chartergellus and presents the first observations on social interactions in this genus of tropical swarm-founding wasps. Observations of Chartergellus golfitensis in Costa Rica and C. punctatior in Colombia showed that queens perform a post-oviposition egg-guarding vigil, and a bending display like that characteristic of epiponine social wasps that lack consistent morphological differences between workers and queens and have caste determination in the adult stage. Young, old, and queen (egg-laying) females of C. golfitensis showed small differences that indicate color changes with age, and structural differences that could be due to seasonal or colony-cycle changes in developmental conditions, but do not rule out the possibility of pre-adult caste determination, a phenomenon that needs to be carefully distinguished from pre-adult caste bias. Sexual dimorphism and the behavior of males at the nest in C. golfitensis is described, as well as the aggressive and avoidance behavior of females toward males. Nest structure in both species is as described previously for Chartergellus species, but some anomalies and their possible evolutionary significance are discussed. Cell initiation by an egg-laying queen, a behavior never seen by workers, and by a young female with slightly developed ovaries, may be vestiges of ancestral solitary reproductive traits where developed ovaries are associated with cell construction. © 2010 Dipartimento di Biologia Evoluzionistica dell'Università, Firenze, Italia.

Effects of treatment of the fat body trophocytes of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides nurse workers and virgin queens in culture by juvenile hormone III and ecdysterone (20-HE)

The fat body (FB) consists of two types of cells: throphocytes and oenocytes. Throphocytes are related to intermediary metabolism storing lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins while oenocytes play role in the lipids and lipoproteins production. The vitellogenin is the precursor of egg yolk (vitelline) and is synthesized on FB. The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of hormones acting in bee reproduction, as juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdisteroids (20 HE) on FB cells, where vitellogenin is synthesized. For the study were chose nurse workers that in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides present activated ovaries and produce eggs, and virgin queens whose ovaries are not yet activated, presenting only previtellogenic follicles. FB trophocytes from these classes of bees were cultivated in media containing different amounts of JH and 20-HE. The effects on trophocytes cytoplasm reserves of lipids, proteins, and activity of acid phosphatase were compared by observing preparations from cultured FB, treated and control, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the hormones effects are related to the bee's caste and functional ovary stage. The role of acid phosphatase on mobilization of the trophocyte reserves was also determined. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Queen lipid content and nest growth in the leaf cutting ant (Atta sexdens rubropilosa) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The relationship between the queens' lipid content and nest growth (population size, biomass and nest architecture) was studied from founding up to 1 year. Nests aged 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12 months were dug in the field, and their dimensions were measured. The ant nest population and fungus garden was also collected. The sample was taken to the laboratory where we counted the worker population and weighed the biomass (fungus plus offspring) and queens. Queens were separated for the determination of lipids. The lipid content in the bodies of queens decreased in the first months, then stabilized (at 4-6 months) before increasing in months 9 and 12. Nest biomass (symbiotic fungus and offspring) and worker population increased over time. The structural growth of the nests was observed by excavating around them. Initially nests (3 months old) had one chamber at an average depth of 15 cm. By 1 year, the nests had three or four deep chambers, and were about 3-4 m deep. Our study contributes to knowledge of the dynamics of the energy-reserve expenditure by queens during colony founding and colony development for up to 1 year. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Comparative study of intramandibular glands of workers, queens and males of stingless bee Scaptotrigona postica Latreille (Hymenoptera: Meliponini)

The mandibles of bees contain two types of tegumental glands whose function is not clear, despite the hypotheses put forward by several researchers. Although these glands have been found in all the bee species studied so far, observations have been confined mostly to workers of eusocial species in the forager phase. The work reported here involved a study of the morphology of the glands of newly emerged, nurse and forager workers, virgin and fecundated queens, and newly emerged and sexually mature males of Scaptotrigona postica, seeking to identify changes that may be linked to the bees life phase. Our findings indicate that the two types of glands are present in the species but not in all life phases or individual classes. The glands consisting of class I cells, the epithelial glands are present only in forager workers and fecundated queens. Glands of type III cells were studied in detail, and gland size was estimated from histological sections. The degree of development of the glands varies according to individual classes and life phases, suggesting different functions during the individuals life and from one individual to another. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2012.

Fat body, hemolymph and ovary routes for delivery of substances to ovary in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides: Differences among castes through the use of electron-opaque tracers

The yolk protein precursor, vitellogenin (Vg), in bees is synthesized in the fat body trophocytes, delivered to the hemolymph and ultimately absorbed from there during the vitellogenic phase of oocytes in the active ovary. The routes tracing the material exchange that occurs between the trophocytes and the hemolymph, in addition to the transportation from the hemolymph to the ovarian follicles, were marked by alkaline phosphatase and lanthanum nitrate (LN). Active ovaries from nurse workers and physogastric queens, as well as inactive ovaries of virgin queens, were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The LN permitted better visualization of the routes of exchanges between the organs and the hemolymph. Both methods demonstrate the apparent differences between the phases of the ovary and the bee caste. In inactive ovaries of the virgin queens, the routes from the follicular epithelium to the oocyte remain closed; conversely, they are open in active ovaries of the nurse workers and physogastric queens. The differences between the methods and classes of bees are discussed. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press [on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy]. All rights reserved.

Aplicação de modelos de agentes e redes complexas na caracterização e estudo da interação entre insetos sociais, com enfoque em formigas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Biologia de Acromyrmex balzani Emery, 1890 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização das trilhas de forrageamento em formigas cortadeiras de gramíneas (Formicidae, Attini): transferência de informações durante o recrutamento em Atta bisphaerica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ontogenia da casta de soldados no cupim praga Heterotermoes tenuis (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)