Chemical and cellular characterization of the mandibular glands and chemical composition of the cuticular superficie of Melipona quadrifasciata

• Grant number: 06/06154-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2007
• End date: December 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Carminda da Cruz-Landim
• Grantee: Carminda da Cruz-Landim
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The pheromones are essential chemicals produced in the exocrine glands for insect communication. The mandibular glands of eusocial bees produce pheromones with different functions according to the species, castes or takes developed by an individual of the same specie. On the cuticular surface of the bees there are surface pheromones to identify the individuals, castes or species, the understanding of the pheromone chemical composition and function mechanisms can contribute for the knowledge of the bases of the eusociability and of the cellular and chemical bases of the bee behavior. This study focus on the mandibular gland development and chemical composition in Melipona quadrifascita, comparing the results with the surface pheromones of bees with the same classes and stages. (AU)