Relationship Between Hydrocarbon Composition on the Cuticle of Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Workers and the Secretion of the Cephalic Salivary Glands

Poiani, Silvana B.; Morgan, E.D.; Drijfhout, Falko P; Cruz-Landim, Carminda

doi:10.13102/sociobiology.v65i4.3384

Relationship Between Hydrocarbon Composition on the Cuticle of Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Workers and the Secretion of the Cephalic Salivary Glands

Poiani, Silvana B.; Morgan, E.D.; Drijfhout, Falko P; Cruz-Landim, Carminda

Authors

Silvana B. Poiani

E.D. Morgan

Falko Drijfhout f.drijfhout@keele.ac.uk

Carminda Cruz-Landim

Abstract

Since chemical communication is pivotal for social insect success, the present paper aimed to quantify and qualify the chemical compounds that might have pheromonal role in both cephalic salivary gland and epicuticle of workers of Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier using gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results indicated that the hydrocarbons were the main compounds in both cephalic salivary gland and epicuticle, followed by esters. Positive Mantel correspondence analysis suggests that the glands could contribute to replenishment of surface compounds as an auxiliary source. Discriminant analysis also pointed out that gland and epicuticle chemical profiles were phase-related.

Acceptance Date	Aug 16, 2018
Publication Date	Oct 11, 2018
Journal	Sociobiology
Publisher	Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana
Pages	671 - 678
DOI	https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v65i4.3384
Keywords	CHC, labial gland, Mantel, pheromone, stingless bee.
Publisher URL	http://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v65i4.3384