RESUMO

Virgin queens (gynes) exhibit a range of behaviors in order to be accepted as the leader of colony. However, environmental neurotoxic insecticides as neonicotinoids may affect the social performance of the bees. Here, we evaluated the sublethal effects of neonicotinoid imidacloprid on the larval food of queens from Plebeia droryana, a species of neotropical stingless bee. Several behaviors were analyzed as multivariate response variables in a Hotelling test, as well as generalized additive mixed models. Our findings demonstrate that treated queens perform less wing vibration and trophallaxis with their workers. Furthermore, the treated gynes encounter more harassment (aggression) from their workers, suggesting that workers can differentiate nontreated queens from treated queens most likely by chemical signals. Our data indicate that the behavioral repertoire underlying the queen selection process by the stingless bee P. droryana may be seriously affected by residual doses of imidacloprid in larval food. As a result, such queens are rather undernourished and aggressed by workers, which most likely compromises the viability and permanence of colonies in the long term.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The attraction of sexual partners is a vital necessity among insects, and it involves conflict of interests and complex communication systems among male and female. In this study, we investigated the developing of sexual attractiveness in virgin queens (i.e., gynes) of Melipona flavolineata, an eusocial stingless bee. We followed the development of sexual attractiveness in 64 gynes, belonging to seven age classes (0, 3, 6, 9, 15, 18 days post-emergence), and we also evaluated the effect of different social interactions (such as competition between queens and interactions with workers) on the development of attractiveness in other 60 gynes. We used the number of males that tried to mate with a focal gyne as a representative variable of its sexual attractiveness. During the essays, each gyne was individually presented to 10 sexually mature males, and during 3 min, we counted the number of males that everted their genitalia in response to the presence of a gyne. Here, we show that M. flavolineata gynes are capable to (i) maintain their sexual attractiveness for long periods through adult life, (ii) they need a minimum social interaction to trigger the development of sexual attractiveness, and (iii) that gynes express this trait only within a social context. We conclude that the effective occurrence of matings is conditional on potential social interactions that gynes experienced before taking the nuptial flight, when they are still in the nest. These findings bring insights into the factors determining reproductive success in social insects.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Although ovariohysterectomy (OSH) or ovariectomy are methods of choice for contraception in queens, genectic valuable animals or animals that will be used for reproduction in future require safe and reversible methods for contraception. Many contraceptive methods have been used in cats, such as progestagens, androgens, imunocontraception and GnRH agonists. Although effective, many of those contraceptives are associated with serious side effects. Know the mechanism of action, main indication and possible side effects may help during the choice of the contraceptive method.(AU)

Apesar da ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH) ou ovariectomia serem os métodos contraceptivos de escolha para gatas domésticas, o manejo reprodutivo de animais geneticamente valiosos ou que ainda serão utilizados para reprodução requer métodos contraceptivos seguros e reversíveis. Diversos métodos contraceptivos reversíveis já foram utilizados em gatas entre eles os progestágenos, os andrógenos, os imunocontraceptivos e os agonistas do GnRH. Apesar de eficientes, muitos desses contraceptivos estão associados a efeitos colaterais sérios. Conhecer o mecanismo de ação, as principais indicações e os possíveis efeitos colaterais auxilia na escolha do contraceptivo a ser utilizado.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Although ovariohysterectomy (OSH) or ovariectomy are methods of choice for contraception in queens, genectic valuable animals or animals that will be used for reproduction in future require safe and reversible methods for contraception. Many contraceptive methods have been used in cats, such as progestagens, androgens, imunocontraception and GnRH agonists. Although effective, many of those contraceptives are associated with serious side effects. Know the mechanism of action, main indication and possible side effects may help during the choice of the contraceptive method.

Apesar da ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH) ou ovariectomia serem os métodos contraceptivos de escolha para gatas domésticas, o manejo reprodutivo de animais geneticamente valiosos ou que ainda serão utilizados para reprodução requer métodos contraceptivos seguros e reversíveis. Diversos métodos contraceptivos reversíveis já foram utilizados em gatas entre eles os progestágenos, os andrógenos, os imunocontraceptivos e os agonistas do GnRH. Apesar de eficientes, muitos desses contraceptivos estão associados a efeitos colaterais sérios. Conhecer o mecanismo de ação, as principais indicações e os possíveis efeitos colaterais auxilia na escolha do contraceptivo a ser utilizado.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The genetic improvement programs of honeybees Apis mellifera are an essential and important tool for the success and development of the beekeeping industry. Hence, the use of other tools such as instrumental insemination, management practices, and exchange of queens are necessary to allow production increase. The diversity of climates in Brazil along with the ease of producing different products makes Brazil a country with great opportunities in the field of international beekeeping. Breeding programs on a large scale need to be made from mass populations, in other words, a breeding program should start from a large number of hives to be selected. With the purpose of developing and designing a breeding program that aims to increase production levels and thus increase the average yield per colony in general. Some features may be used to select the hives as propolis production, the quality of propolis collected, as well as some other features: hygienic behavior, rate of varroa infestation and incidence of Nosema. This ensures the best selection of hives as the basis of genetic improvement program. Additionally, standardization of management practices, constant exchange of queens, production of drones, continuous evaluation of production and insemination practices are contained in the apiaries of the breeding program in propolis.

O melhoramento genético de abelhas Apis mellifera é uma ferramenta essencial e de caráter obrigatório para o sucesso e desenvolvimento da indústria apícola. Práticas de manejo, troca das rainhas e inseminação instrumental constituem os pilares fundamentais de um programa que vise o aumento de determinada característica quantitativamente. A diversidade de climas no Brasil, junto com a possibilidade de direcionar a produção de diferentes produtos, fazem deste um país com oportunidades no campo internacional da apicultura. Programas de melhoramento genético, em grande escala, precisam ser feitos a partir de populações em massa, ou seja, um programa de melhoramento deverá iniciar-se a partir de um grande número de colmeias para serem selecionadas, com a finalidade de desenvolver e estruturar um programa de melhoramento genético que tenha como objetivo incrementar os níveis de produção e assim aumentar as médias de produção por colmeia em geral. Algumas características podem ser utilizadas para selecionar as colmeias, como: produção de própolis; a qualidade da própolis coletada; comportamento higiênico; taxa de infestação de varroa e incidência de Nosema. Isso garante a seleção das melhores colmeias como base do programa de melhoramento genético. Adicionalmente, padronização de práticas de manejo, troca constante de rainhas, produção de zangões, avaliação contínua da produção e a inseminação instrumental são práticas constantes nos apiários do programa de melhoramento em própolis.

RESUMO

O presente artigo objetiva uma reflexão acerca de alguns ecos do filme australiano Priscilla, a rainha do deserto (1994), dirigido por Stephan Elliot. Este filme alcançou grande sucesso no mundo todo, contribuindo para a popularização da figura das drag queens, com suas performances e excessos, para além de um nicho gay. Pretendo discutir como ficção e realidade entrelaçam-se nos diálogos entre obra artística e teoria. Priscilla, a rainha do deserto talvez tenha causado maior impacto em seu país de origem, sendo tomado como documento real da representação da diversidade, da identidade nacional e das relações étnicas australianas. Seguindo esta trilha, citarei alguns estudos suscitados pela obra em questão, como os de Damien Riggs (2006), Elaine Laforteza (2006) e Gilad Padva (2000), que em seus diversos tipos de argumentações transformam este filme em um objeto de discussão teórica e elemento cultural referente da realidade.

El presente artículo se propone una reflexión acerca de algunas repercusiones de la película australiana "Las aventuras de Priscilla, la reina del desierto" (1994), dirigido por Stephan Elliot. El éxito mundial de esta película contribuyó a popularizar a las drag queens, con sus performances y excesos, más allá del nicho gay. Procuro discutir cómo ficción y realidad se entrelazan en el diálogo entre obra artística y teoría. Quizás "Las aventuras de Priscilla, la reina del desierto" haya causado un impacto mayor en su país de origen, tomándoselo como documento y representación de la diversidad, la identidad nacional y las relaciones étnicas australianas. En esa línea, retomaré estudios sobre la obra en cuestión, como los de Damien Riggs (2006), Elaine Laforteza (2006) y Gilad Padva (2000), que transformaron esta película, a través de sus distintas argumentaciones, en un objeto de discusión teórica y un elemento cultural referente de la realidad.

This article is a reflection on some echoes of the Australian film "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (1994), by Stephan Elliot. The film enjoyed great success across the world, contributing to the popularization of drag queen characters, their performances, and cultivation of excess beyond the gay niche. Damien Riggs (2006), Elaine Laforteza (2006), and Gilad Padva (2000) have made this film an object of theoretical discussion as a cultural product. I discuss how fiction and reality intertwine in the dialogues between performance, art, and theory/reality. "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" might have caused a higher impact in its country of origin, received as a document representation of diversity, national identity, and ethnic relations in Australia.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Polygyny, characterized by the presence of several egg-laying queens, is considered as a temporary colony status. In stingless bees it is rarely observed. This paper reports the first case of natural polygyny in Melipona scutellaris colony, with five egg-laying queens.

Poliginia, caracterizada pela presença de mais de uma rainha poedeira, é considerada como uma condição temporária em colônias. Em abelhas sem ferrão isso é raramente observado. Este artigo registra o primeiro caso de poliginia natural em colônia de Melipona scutellaris, com cinco rainhas poedeiras.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Polygyny, characterized by the presence of several egg-laying queens, is considered as a temporary colony status. In stingless bees it is rarely observed. This paper reports the first case of natural polygyny in Melipona scutellaris colony, with five egg-laying queens.

Poliginia, caracterizada pela presença de mais de uma rainha poedeira, é considerada como uma condição temporária em colônias. Em abelhas sem ferrão isso é raramente observado. Este artigo registra o primeiro caso de poliginia natural em colônia de Melipona scutellaris, com cinco rainhas poedeiras.

RESUMO

Variations in the morphology and biochemical content of insect fat body have been associated withmetabolic activity and the reproductive cycle (synthesis of vitellogenin). In social insects such as bees,the functional traits of fat body also differ between workers and queens. In this work, we used light andtransmission electron microscopy to examine the morphological features of fat body trophocytes of virginand physogastric mated queens of the stingless bee Melipona quadriafasciata anthidioides before and duringvitellogenesis. Virgin queens had few, small fat body cells in which lipid deposits predominate, and showedno evidence of biosynthetic activity or the uptake of exogenous substances. In contrast, the fat body cells ofphysogastric queens were almost completely devoid of lipids, exhibit a well-developed rough endoplasmicreticulum with an obvious intraluminal product, and contained Golgi stacks that release numerous vesicles.These ultrastructural findings were suggestive of proteosynthesis. However, there was no evidence for theaccumulation of synthesized material in the form of secretory granules. We conclude that the trophocytes ofvirgin and physogastric queens differ basically in their switch from a storage role in the former to a syntheticrole in the latter. In addition, the high level of vitellogenesis seen in egg-laying queens suggests that themain material synthesized is vitellogenin.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The extraordinary success of unicolonial insect invaders has renewed interest in the origins and maintenance of unicoloniality, a social system characterized by the absence of aggressive behavior between individuals of neighboring conspecific nests. In this study, I explore how traits associated with unicoloniality, particularly nest budding and the local exchange of workers between nests, vary across environments. Comparisons of nest characteristics in three introduced populations of Argentine ants, Linepithema humile, reveal considerable variation in nest density and social structure across populations. The population with the highest nest density has smaller, less productive nests and fewer queens per nest than the two populations with low nest densities. Nestmate relatedness is low in all populations, but multi-locus genotype analyses reveal that levels of connectivity vary among populations. In particular, high nest density is associated with higher levels of genotypic similarity between nests. Assignment distances in the two populations with low nest density are similar to a native population, suggesting that the amount of mixing between neighboring nests is shared among some native and introduced populations. Because the study populations are similar in age and genetic diversity, these results suggest that the social structure of L. humile populations depend on the ecological context. Understanding the patterns of expression of unicolonial traits in different environments helps to shed light on the origins of unicoloniality and to explain the success of Argentine ants as invaders.

RESUMO

The duration of the development and growth index of the post-embryonic stages of Apis mellifera L. workers, daughters of Africanized and Italian queens, was analysed. We verified that the mean duration, in days, of the egg, larva and pupa stages and the total developmental period for the workers, daughters of africanized queens, were respectively: 3.18 ± 0.33; 5.13 ± 0.43; 12.00 ± 0.35; 20.30 ± 0.53 days, and for workers, daughters of Italian queens, they were respectively: 3.12 ± 0.25; 5.34 ± 0.56; 12.27 ± 0.58; 20.73 ± 0.75. No significant difference was found in the total development of the offspring of either of the two racial types analysed, during the seasons of the year. The growth index of the post-embryonic stages differed in L2, L3, L4 e L5, that the workers, daughters of africanized queens, possessed a smaller measurement of the cephalic capsule than the workers, daughter of Italian queens.

Foram analisados a duração do desenvolvimento e o índice de crescimento dos estágio pós-embrionários de operárias de Apis mellifera L., filhas de rainhas africanizadas e italianas. Pode-se constatar que a duração média dos estágios de ovo, larva, pupa e do período total de desenvolvimento para as operárias filhas de rainhas africanizadas foram respectivamente (em dias): 3,18 ± 0,33; 5,13 ± 0,43; 12,00 ± 0,35; 20,30 ± 0,53; e para operárias filhas de rainhas italianas foram, respectivamente (em dias): 3,12 ± 0,25; 5,34 ± 0,56; 12,27 ± 0,58; 20,73 ± 0,75. Não foi encontrada diferença estatística para o desenvolvimento total da cria de operárias dos dois tipos raciais analisados, durante as estações do ano. O índice de crescimento dos estágio pós-embrionários dos dois tipos raciais analisados diferem estatisticamento em L2, L3, L4 e L5, sendo que as operárias africanizadas possuem a medida da cápsula cefálica menos que as operárias filhas de rainhas italianas.

RESUMO

The duration of the development and growth index of the post-embryonic stages of Apis mellifera L. workers, daughters of Africanized and Italian queens, was analysed. We verified that the mean duration, in days, of the egg, larva and pupa stages and the total developmental period for the workers, daughters of africanized queens, were respectively: 3.18 ± 0.33; 5.13 ± 0.43; 12.00 ± 0.35; 20.30 ± 0.53 days, and for workers, daughters of Italian queens, they were respectively: 3.12 ± 0.25; 5.34 ± 0.56; 12.27 ± 0.58; 20.73 ± 0.75. No significant difference was found in the total development of the offspring of either of the two racial types analysed, during the seasons of the year. The growth index of the post-embryonic stages differed in L2, L3, L4 e L5, that the workers, daughters of africanized queens, possessed a smaller measurement of the cephalic capsule than the workers, daughter of Italian queens.

Foram analisados a duração do desenvolvimento e o índice de crescimento dos estágio pós-embrionários de operárias de Apis mellifera L., filhas de rainhas africanizadas e italianas. Pode-se constatar que a duração média dos estágios de ovo, larva, pupa e do período total de desenvolvimento para as operárias filhas de rainhas africanizadas foram respectivamente (em dias): 3,18 ± 0,33; 5,13 ± 0,43; 12,00 ± 0,35; 20,30 ± 0,53; e para operárias filhas de rainhas italianas foram, respectivamente (em dias): 3,12 ± 0,25; 5,34 ± 0,56; 12,27 ± 0,58; 20,73 ± 0,75. Não foi encontrada diferença estatística para o desenvolvimento total da cria de operárias dos dois tipos raciais analisados, durante as estações do ano. O índice de crescimento dos estágio pós-embrionários dos dois tipos raciais analisados diferem estatisticamento em L2, L3, L4 e L5, sendo que as operárias africanizadas possuem a medida da cápsula cefálica menos que as operárias filhas de rainhas italianas.