Variation of cuticular chemical compounds in three species of Mischocyttarus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) eusocial wasps

Author(s)

Pereira Soares, Eva Ramona ; Batista, Nathan Rodrigues ; Souza, Rafael da Silva ; Torres, Viviana de Oliveira ; Lima Cardoso, Claudia Andrea ; Nascimento, Fabio Santos ; Antonialli-Junior, William Fernando

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Entomologia; v. 61, n. 3, p. 224-231, JUL-SEP 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The social wasps have a remarkable system of organization in which chemical communication mediate different behavioral interactions. Among the compounds involved in this process, cuticular hydrocarbons are considered the main signals for nestmate recognition, caste differentiation, and fertility communication. The aims of this study were to describe the cuticular chemical compounds of the species Mischocyttarus consimilis, Mischocyttarus bertonii, and Mischocyttarus latior, and to test whether these chemical compounds could be used to evaluate differences and similarities between Mischocyttarus species, using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Workers from these three species presented a variety of hydrocarbons ranging from C-17 to C-37, and among the compounds identified, the most representative were branched alkanes, linear alkanes and alkenes. The results revealed quantitative and qualitative differences among the hydrocarbon profiles, as confirmed by discriminant analysis. This study supports the hypothesis that cuticular chemical profiles can be used as parameters to identify interspecific and intercolony differences in Mischocyttarus, highlighting the importance of these compounds for differentiation of species and populations. (C) 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Entomologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/25301-9 - Evaluating the exogenous and endogenous mechanisms influencing variability of cuticular hydrocarbons in Neotropical social insects
• Grantee: Fábio Santos do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants