Neuroplasticity and Behavior of Farm Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

• Grant number: 24/17473-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Santos do Nascimento
• Grantee: Raquel Lima de Sousa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Among the characteristics of phenotypic plasticity, morphological polymorphism stands out, however, individuals possessing the same genotype present different morphological, physiological and behavioral characteristics. As cutting forms there are good examples of phenotypic plasticity because they present extreme polymorphism among social insects. The genera Acromyrmex, Amoimyrmex and Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae: tribo Attini: subtribo Attina) have labor division, an important characteristic in colonies in which operatives possess morphological and behavioral specializations to carry out different activities. Furthermore, these characteristics are related to sensory processing and work functionality developed in the community that can also be reflected in the volume of two brains in forms. Therefore, as a central hypothesis we intend to test comparatively the emerging behavioral patterns following their correspondence with the neuroanatomical plasticity of Acromyrmex lundii and Mycocepurus smithii operatives. Among the main objectives we intend to: 1. Determine the activities carried out within the species colony; 2. Investigate the occurrence of neuroplasticity of neuropiles with the complexity of the labor division; 3. Quantify the neuropiles of Cortadeira formigas by volumetric measurement. In this way, it is expected that the presence of neuroplasticity between the operations of the species of Acromyrmex lundii and Mycocepurus smithii will be identified and that the volumetric alterations between the neuropiles may be indicated as an investment to carry out specific activities for a certain group made from data previously prepared behavioral repertoire.