Ontogeny of sexual attractiveness in gynes of Scaptotrigona aff. depilis (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini)

• Grant number: 19/07885-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal researcher: Fábio Santos do Nascimento
• Grantee: Jéferson Pedrosa dos Santos
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The evolution of chemical communication in social insects has shown a degree of complexity and sophistication among invertebrates. The sexual attractiveness of virgin gynes is mediated by specific chemical signals produced by them. In addition, chemical signals released by gynes may be supplemented by aggressive queen-worker interactions that may inhibit reproductive activity in female workers. In the Melipona genus the gynes emerge sexually mature, but without any sexual attractiveness and need to produce and release pheromones to become attractive, and the secretion of the Dufour gland in virgin gynes functions as a sexual pheromone. The purpose of this project is to determine the possible chemical compounds released by gynes that may be involved in the process of attracting partners. Scaptotrigona aff. depilis is chosen as an experimental model. The specific aims of this project are: 1 - to identify volatile and cuticular chemical compounds produced by gynes of different ages, 2 - to check for variations in Dufour's gland composition, 3 - to evaluate reproductive fitness through bioassays, 4- to test the influence of social interactions on the development of sexual attractiveness and 5- to discriminate volatile, cuticular and glandular compounds produced by virgin gynes in different social contexts. For this, in vitro rearing of gynes of S. aff. depilis will be performed and it is expected that age and social contexts directly influence the ontogeny of sexual attraction. The premises are based on communication between males and queens, and on which released substances reflect this communication. (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)

JUNQUEIRA, CAMILA NONATO; PEREIRA, RODRIGO AUGUSTO SANTINELO; DA SILVA, RAFAEL CARVALHO; ALVES CARDOSO KOBAL, RENAN OLIVEIRA; ARAUJO, THAYANE NOGUEIRA; PRATO, AMANDA; PEDROSA, JEFERSON; MARTINEZ-MARTINEZ, CARLOS A.; CASTRILLON, KEVIN PALMERA; FELICIO, DANIEL TIRAPELI; FERRONATO, PETRA; AUGUSTO, SOLANGE CRISTINA. Do Apis and non-Apis bees provide a similar contribution to crop production with different levels of pollination dependency? A review using meta-analysis. ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, SEP 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.

DOS SANTOS, JEFERSON PEDROSA; VIEIRA, BRUNO GUSMAO; DA SILVA, RAFAEL CARVALHO; DO NASCIMENTO, FABIO SANTOS. When is it necessary to avoid your enemies? A stingless bee ignores aggressive competitor cues to explore food sources. Apidologie, v. 52, n. 4, p. 801-812, AUG 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.

DOS SANTOS, JEFERSON PEDROSA; VIEIRA, BRUNO GUSMAO; DA SILVA, RAFAEL CARVALHO; DO NASCIMENTO, FABIO SANTOS. When is it necessary to avoid your enemies? A stingless bee ignores aggressive competitor cues to explore food sources. Apidologie, MAY 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.