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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Queen signals in a stingless bee: suppression of worker ovary activation and spatial distribution of active compounds

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Author(s):
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Nunes, Tulio M. [1, 2] ; Mateus, Sidnei [2] ; Favaris, Arodi P. [3] ; Amaral, Monica F. Z. J. [1] ; von Zuben, Lucas G. [2] ; Clososki, Giuliano C. [1] ; Bento, Jose M. S. [3] ; Oldroyd, Benjamin P. [4] ; Silva, Ricardo [1] ; Zucchi, Ronaldo [2] ; Silva, Denise B. [1] ; Lopes, Norberto P. [1]
Total Authors: 12
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, FCFRP, Dept Quim & Fis, NPPNS, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, FFCLRP, Dept Biol, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, ESALQ, Dept Entomol & Acarol, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Sydney, Sch Biol Sci A12, Sydney, NSW 2006 - Australia
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 4, DEC 12 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 25
Abstract

In most species of social insect the queen signals her presence to her workers via pheromones. Worker responses to queen pheromones include retinue formation around the queen, inhibition of queen cell production and suppression of worker ovary activation. Here we show that the queen signal of the Brazilian stingless bee Friesella schrottkyi is a mixture of cuticular hydrocarbons. Stingless bees are therefore similar to ants, wasps and bumble bees, but differ from honey bees in which the queen's signal mostly comprises volatile compounds originating from the mandibular glands. This shows that cuticular hydrocarbons have independently evolved as the queen's signal across multiple taxa, and that the honey bees are exceptional. We also report the distribution of four active queen-signal compounds by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging. The results indicate a relationship between the behavior of workers towards the queen and the likely site of secretion of the queen's pheromones. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/54098-6 - Acquisition of a mass spectrometer for the generation of images at the Mass Spectrometry Center of the University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences: studies of molecular localization of biologically active substances
Grantee:Norberto Peporine Lopes
Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
FAPESP's process: 14/20302-4 - Dinamics of the metabolism of the secondary metabolites from Asteraceae species biologically active through classical and recents mass spectrometric techniques and the poyencially developing of topical formulations for antinflammatory and analgesic use
Grantee:João Luis Callegari Lopes
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 12/18031-7 - Application of MALDI-MS/MS in the vicenin-2 and derivatives analyses: Understanding the ionization processes to production of the images
Grantee:Denise Brentan da Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 11/22991-3 - Queen pheromones of stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini)
Grantee:Túlio Marcos Nunes
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 14/01884-2 - Analysis of metabolite profiles obtained by mass spectrometry using graphs
Grantee:Ricardo Roberto da Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral