Do reproductive workers invade conspecific nests of Scaptotrigona depilis (Apidae, Meliponini)?

• Grant number: 12/16716-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal researcher: Denise de Araujo Alves
• Grantee: Julia Pinheiro de Figueiredo
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/10027-5 - Behavioural mediation, chemical signalisation and physiological aspects regulating the social organization in hymenopterans, AP.JP

Abstract

Nests of eusocial bees may be invaded by social parasites that leave their own colonies when there are no direct reproductive options, they seek for reproductive opportunities in conspecific colonies. Thus, unrelated individuals are exploited and carry the costs of this strategy, because they provide food resources and rear for the offspring they are not related to them. The overall purpose of this project is to investigate whether the reproductive workers of Scaptotrigona depilis leave their nests, invade non-natal conspecific nests and lay eggs that will give rise to males. If the reproductive workers do invade non-natal nests (in queenright or queenless conditions), do they tend to enter non-natal queenright or non-natal queenless colonies? We believe that our results will contribute significantly to the studies focusing on reproductive strategies in social insects. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

VOLLET-NETO, AYRTON; DOS SANTOS, CHARLES FERNANDO; SANTIAGO, LEANDRO RODRIGUES; ALVES, DENISE DE ARAUJO; DE FIGUEIREDO, JULIA PINHEIRO; NANZER, MARINO; ARIAS, MARIA CRISTINA; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, VERA LUCIA. Diploid males of Scaptotrigona depilis are able to join reproductive aggregations (Apidae, Meliponini). JOURNAL OF HYMENOPTERA RESEARCH, v. 45, p. 125-130, 2015. Web of Science Citations: 4.