A case of multiple mating in stingless bees (Meliponinae)

Imperatriz-Fonseca, Vera Lúcia; Matos, E.T.; Ferreira, Fabiano de Andrade; Velthuis, H. H. W.

doi:10.1007/s000400050083

Cited by 31 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…It is not clear whether the working of some pheromone in the process of acceptance of the dominant gyne also stimulate the workers to eliminate the newly emerged gynes. Many remarks are made in the literature about gyne attractiveness and pheromone production based on increased glandular activity (Cruz-Landim et al, 1980;Cruz-Landim and Mota, 1990;Engels and Imperatriz-Fonseca, 1990;Imperatriz-Fonseca et al, 1998;Kleinert and Imperatriz-Fonseca, 1994;Koedam et al, 1995a and1995b), but so far the exact functioning is not known. Our data seem to support an hypothesis (Koedam et al, 1995b) that abdominal glandular development and resulting pheromone release play a role in the acceptance of a gyne by workers and the establishment of her dominance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural development and abdomen inflation of gynes and newly mated queens of Melipona beecheii (Apidae, Meliponinae)

1999

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The behaviour of gynes of Melipona beecheii in queen-deprived colonies was studied. The period after emergence until acceptance is characterized by agonistic behaviour of workers towards the gynes. The gynes escaped from this worker aggression by hiding in the periphery of the nest, by performing rapid turn-arounds once grabbed by a worker, and "feigning death". Between acceptance and nuptial flight, gynes spent most of their time in pushing, hiding, and antennal contact with workers, and self-grooming or food solicitation. After the nuptial flight the queen's behavioural repertoire shifted to less pushing and food solicitation, to an increase in standing, tapping and antennal contact.Accepted gynes had a significantly more prolonged abdomen inflation than gynes that were eliminated.An hypothesis is presented to explain how abdomen enlargement and behavioural development influences the acceptance of gynes and the establishment of a dominance relation with workers under queenless conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural development and abdomen inflation of gynes and newly mated queens of Melipona beecheii (Apidae, Meliponinae)

1999

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“…Meliponini queens usually mate once, but double or triple mating has been reported in few species (Imperatriz-Fonceca et al, 1998;Paxton et al, 1999). On the other hand, extreme levels of polyandry are observed in all the Apini species so far examined (Palmer and Oldroyd, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of extreme polyandry: an estimate of mating frequency in two African honeybee subspecies, Apis mellifera monticola and A.m. scutellata

Franck¹,

Kœniger

Lahner

et al. 2000

Insectes soc.

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Mating frequencies in two related honeybee subspecies Apis mellifera monticola and A. m. scutellata were compared using a set of five microsatellite loci in order to discriminate among the major factors which have affected the evolution of extreme polyandry. We found that the queens of eight A. m. monticola colonies collected from an apiary in Malawi, mated 5 -19 times producing an average relatedness among workers of 0.328 ± 0.049. The six A. m. scutellata colonies collected from an apiary in South Africa displayed a significantly larger degree of polyandry, i.e. queens mated 10 -25 times and the genetic relatedness among nestmates was 0.283 ± 0.020. The difference in the degree of polyandry observed between the populations suggests that socially based selective pressures are not of primary importance in the evolution of extreme polyandry but that ecological selective pressures play a more significant role. However, exploring the relative contributions of these factors to the variation in levels of polyandry will require the use of colonies in which the level of polyandry is experimentally controlled.

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“…KERR & KRAUSE (1950) stated that Melipona quadrifasciata queens mate only once. However, IMPERATRIZ-FoNSECA et al ( 1997) and also IMPERATRIZ FONSECA et al (1998) et al (1998) examined the genotypes of bees belongi ng to 13 species of Me lip on ins , and 10 genera. "In six out of the 12 sing le-queen species, all worker genotypes were consistent with a single, once-mated queen ... " "The small number of anomalies in the remaining species cou ld arise" from several causes incl udi ng multiple mating.…”

Section: And Vencovski (1982) and Kerr (1985) Theory Do Not Fit What Hamentioning

confidence: 99%

Inbreeding and building up small populations of stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Nogueira-Neto

2002

Rev. Bras. Zool.

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AB STRACT. A study of the viability of smal l populations of Hymenoptera is a matter of importance to gain a better zoological, ethological, genetical and ecological knowledge of these insects, and for conservati on purposes, mainl y because of the consequences to the survival of colonies of many species of bees, wasps, and ants. Based on the WHmNG ( 1943) principle, KERR & VENCOVSKJ ( 1982) presented a hypothesis that states that viable populations of stingless bees (Me liponini) should have at least 40 colonies to survive. This number was later extended to 44 colonies by KERR ( 1985). This wo uld be necessary to avoid any substantial amount of homozygosis in the pair o f chromosomic sexual loci, by keeping at least six different sex ual gene alleles in a reproducti ve populati on. In most cases this would prevent the producti on of useless diploid males. However, several facts weigh against considering this as a general rule. From 1990 to 200 1, 287 colony di visions were made, starting with 28 foundation co lonies, in the inbreeding and population experiments with the Meliponini reported here. These experiments constitute the most extensive and longest scientific research ever made with Meliponini bees. In ten di ffe re nt experiments presented here, seven species (one with two subspecies) of Meli ponini bees were inbred in fi ve localities inside the ir wide-reachi ng nati ve habitats, and in two localities far away from these habitats. Thi s was done fo r several years. On the whole, the nu mber of colonies increased and the loss of coloni es overthe years was smal l. In two of these experiments, al though these populations were far ( 1,000 km and 1,200 km) from their nati ve habitat, their foundati on colonies were multiplied successful y. It was possible to bui ld up seven strong and three expanding medium populations, starting with one, two, three or e ven fi ve colonies. However, in six other cases examined here, the WHmNG ( 1943) principl e and the hypothesis of KERR & VENCOVS KI ( 1982) and KERR (1985), possibly hold up . In two other cases, the results are still unclear. Outside native habitats, most inbreeding experiments failed, possibly because of conditions that cause ecological stress. Although much more data are still needed, a new working hypothesis on the molec ul ar level was presented to explain the results of the experiments described here. In the absence of any considerable stress, and in the eventual ity of a good nutritive situation, even indi vidual bees that are homozygous in the pai r of chromosomic sexual locus would prod uce a sufficient amount of a sex determining substance. Therefore, the female genes of all the diploid indi viduals of a colony, both homozygous and heterozygo us, wou ld be activated. However, situations of considerable stress wo ul d cause a poor physiological and nutritive condition. Th.is, togethe r with homozygos is in the pair of chromosomi c sexual loc us, would lead to a s maller production of the sex determining substance. When thi s happens in the dipl o...

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A case of multiple mating in stingless bees (Meliponinae)

Cited by 31 publications

References 8 publications

Behavioural development and abdomen inflation of gynes and newly mated queens of Melipona beecheii (Apidae, Meliponinae)

Behavioural development and abdomen inflation of gynes and newly mated queens of Melipona beecheii (Apidae, Meliponinae)

Evolution of extreme polyandry: an estimate of mating frequency in two African honeybee subspecies, Apis mellifera monticola and A.m. scutellata

Inbreeding and building up small populations of stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

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