Chemical detection of the proteins and lipids in the fat body cells from workers of Attini ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cytochemistry of fat body trophocytes and ovaries of workers and queens of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) during vitellogenesis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Temporal and morphological differences in post-embryonic differentiation of the mushroom bodies in the brain of workers, queens, and drones of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of Prey Size on the Capture of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) by the Orb-Web Spider Nephilengys cruentata

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Accessory Nuclei in the Oocytes of Pachycondyla (Neoponera) villosa (Hymenoptera: Ponerinae) as a Source of Annulate Lamellae

In insects' oocytes, structures called accessory nuclei can be observed. They are similar to the nucleus of the oocyte and have been detected in Hymenoptera as well as in other groups, with their source and functions still under discussion (Cassidy & King 1972). Through the use of histochemical techniques as well as ultrastructural ones, it was possible to observe several accessory nuclei surrounding the oocyte nucleus in the immature oocytes of Pachycondyla (Neoponera) villosa ants. Morphologically they were seen to be round and smaller than the germinal vesicle. When using these histochemical techniques, the only positive reaction was for proteins. Ultrastructurally they have the same morphology as the oocyte nucleus and a fine and electrondense granulation was observed inside them. The function of accessory nuclei in P (Neoponera) villosa is probably as a source of anullate lamellae and as an RNA reservoir in the oocytes. In mature oocytes (stage III), these structures are not observed, suggesting that they disappeared before this stage by releasing their contents into the oocytes' cytoplasm, according to Camargo-Mathias and Caetano (1993).

Ultrastructural analysis of the fat body in workers of Attini ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

In the present study a comparative morphological analysis of the fat body cells of ant workers of the basal Attini species Cyphomyrmex rimosus and Mycetarotesparallelus, and the derived species Acromynnex disciger and Atta laevigata was conducted. The results revealed that the fat body is located mainly in the abdomen around organs (perivisceral) and near the integument (parietal). The main cells observed are spherical or polygonal trophocytes with a slightly rough surface. The oenocytes, another cell type found, are closely associated with trophocytes, and present a spherical or polygonal shape and a smoother surface. The morphometric analysis showed that the area of trophocytes and oenocytes of C rimosus and M parallelus is significantly smaller when compared to those of A. disciger and A. laevigata. In the cytoplasm of parietal and perivisceral trophocytes and oenocytes, electronlucent droplets (probably lipids) and electrondense granules (probably proteins) indicate the participation of these cells in the storage of these elements, while digestive vacuoles, residual bodies, and multivesicular bodies suggest a role in intracellular digestion. In perivisceral trophocytes and oenocytes of C rimosus, the presence of mitochondria, lamellar rough endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complex suggests that these cells synthesize proteins. Based on these data, no significant differences were observed between the fat body cells of basal and derived ants, except regarding the larger size of trophocytes and oenocytes of the derived species A. disciger and A. laevigata. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009

A new scenario of bioprospecting of Hymenoptera venoms through proteomic approach

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Histochemistry and Protein Profile of The Venom Glands of Workers of Neoponera villosa Ants (Hymenoptera: Ponerinae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fat body cells of female reproductive castes of Attini ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): An ultrastructural and chemical analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A morphological view of the relationship between indirect flight muscle maturation and the flying needs of two species of advanced eusocial bees

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Characterization and localization of dynein and myosins V and VI in the ovaries of queen bees

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Post-Embryonic Development of Larvae of the Weaver Ant Camponotus textor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evolution of Substrate Preparation Behaviors for Cultivation of Symbiotic Fungus in Attine Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

On the morphology of the worker immatures of the leafcutter ant Atta sexdens linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Leafcutter ants of the genus Atta Fabricius are serious agricultural pests. Morphological studies of immature stages within this group are few, and the data provided for species of considerable importance are usually incomplete. In this study, the immatures of Atta sexdens Linnaeus are described and compared using light and scanning electron microscopy. Only specimens from founding stage colonies (i.e., lacking adult workers) were used. The existence of four larval instars was estimated by a frequency plot of maximum head widths, and the larvae of different instars differed from each other mainly by their bodily dimensions. Worker larvae belonged to two distinct morphological castes: (1) gardeners and nurses and (2) within-nest generalists. The worker larvae described in this study differed from a previous description of the same species by the following traits: the existence of a genal lobe, the number of clypeal hairs, the presence of two hairs on the ninth abdominal somite, the presence of hairs on the anterior surface of the labrum, and the shape of the maxillary palpus. This study provides a comparative analysis of immature stages of A. sexdens that may be relevant to future morphological and biological studies of the Attini. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:10591065, 2012. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.