Nest-mate recognition in Manuelia postica (Apidae : Xylocopinae): an eusocial trait is present in a solitary bee

Flores Prado, L.; Aguilera Olivares, D.; NIEMEYER, HM

Abstract

In eusocial Hymenoptera, females are more tolerant towards nest-mate than towards non-nest-mate females. In solitary Hymenoptera, females are generally aggressive towards any conspecific female. Field observations of the nest biology of Manuelia postica suggested nest-mate recognition. Experiments were performed involving two live interacting females or one live female interacting with a dead female. Live females from different nests were more intolerant to each other than females from the same nest. Females were more intolerant towards non-nest-mate than towards nest-mate dead females. When dead females were washed with pentane, no differences in tolerant and intolerant behaviours were detected between non-nest-mate and nest-mate females. Females were more intolerant towards nest-mate female carcasses coated with the cuticular extract from a non-nest-mate than towards non-nest-mate female carcasses coated with the cuticular extract from a nest-mate. The compositions of the cuticular extracts was more similar between females from the same nest than between females from different nests. The results demonstrate for the first time nest-mate recognition mediated by cuticular chemicals in a largely solitary species of Apidae. The position of Manuelia at the base of the Apidae phylogeny suggests that nest-mate recognition in eusocial species apical to Manuelia represents the retention of a primitive capacity in Apidae. © 2007 The Royal Society.

Más información

Título según WOS: Nest-mate recognition in Manuelia postica (Apidae : Xylocopinae): an eusocial trait is present in a solitary bee
Título según SCOPUS: Nest-mate recognition in Manuelia postica (Apidae: Xylocopinae): An eusocial trait is present in a solitary bee
Título de la Revista: PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Volumen: 275
Número: 1632
Editorial: ROYAL SOC
Fecha de publicación: 2008
Página de inicio: 285
Página final: 291
Idioma: English
URL: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/cgi/doi/10.1098/rspb.2007.1151
DOI:

10.1098/rspb.2007.1151

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS