Interaction and behavior of virgin and physogastric queens in three Meliponini species (Hymenoptera, Apidae).
Genet Mol Res
; 8(2): 703-8, 2009.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19554769
We studied the behavior of virgin queens of the stingless bee species Schwarziana quadripunctata, Paratrigona lineata and Tetragona clavipes, investigating internal nest activities, including the cell provisioning and oviposition process. We made direct observation of queen behavior, with the aid of video filming. Forty-four virgin queens of S. quadripunctata were observed; one was larger and more attractive than the others. Miniature queens were more abundant than normal-size queens; both were found in prison chambers. Agonistic behavior between virgin and physogastric queens of P. lineata was observed during attempts at queen supersedure. After the disappearance of the physogastric queen and the appearance of a virgin queen in T. clavipes nests, the brood cells were sealed with pollen alone, but no egg. In all three species, the presence of one or more virgin queens appeared to make the colonies nervous, even though constant production of virgin queens is vital to the survival of the colony and is part of the colony cycle in these bees.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comportamento Social
/
Abelhas
/
Comportamento Animal
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Genet Mol Res
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
GENETICA
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil
País de publicação:
Brasil