Macrocyclic lactones and isopentenyl esters in the Dufour's gland secretion of halictine bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Duffield, R. M.; Fernandes, A.; Lamb, Candice; Wheeler, J. W.; Eickwort, George C.

doi:10.1007/bf00995755

Cited by 52 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…1), while H. cochleareitarsis possessed only eight compounds in its Durfour's gland secretion. These results are in accordance with previous chemical analyses of Dufour's gland secretions in this family of bees [13,[17][18][19][20].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Chemical analyses of the glandular secretions were performed by combined GC and MS using a 50 m OV-1 capillary column. The etuting compounds were identified by their spectra as compared to spectra published earlier [17,18] and with reference compounds. Quantitative analyses were performed by GC coupled with an integrator, using a 50 m SE-30 capillary column.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The significance of multicomponent pheromones in denoting specific compositions

Hefetz

Graur

1988

Biochemical Systematics and Ecology

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. Abetract--The chemical composition of Dufour's gland secretions of 13 species of halictine bees was investigated. The secretions were composed of a series of macrocyclic lactones, hydrocarbons and isopentenyl esters. The number and relative intensities of these compounds were unevenly disu'ibuted among the species, i.e. the secretions were species specific. Based on the empirical date, an algorithm was constructed in order to assess how many of the components present in a secretion are required to discriminate between species, non-related conspecific individuals or nestmates. The results demonstrate that the number of components required for recognition increases with the increase in the level of specificity and with the number of individuals to be identified. The number of compounds denoting identity in a species specific blend may be surprisingly low. Using a similar technique, we assessed the number of components a secretion must contain in order to obtain individual recognition at different levels of relatedness. Several predictions regarding the level of recognition that can be attained by a given pheromone in a given population can be made from these theoretical results.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The significance of multicomponent pheromones in denoting specific compositions

Hefetz

Graur

1988

Biochemical Systematics and Ecology

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“…Cuticular differences associated with behavioral types were largely driven by variation in long-chain hydrocarbons, primarily alkanes and alkenes. Caste-and behavior-related differences in the Dufour's glands were largely associated with differences in the relative amounts of macrocyclic lactones, a key component of halictid Dufour's secretions (75). Two compounds were included in all of the best-fitting models constructed: 16-hexadecenolide and heptacosene.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solitary bees reduce investment in communication compared with their social relatives

Wittwer

Hefetz

Simon

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Social animals must communicate to define group membership and coordinate social organization. For social insects, communication is predominantly mediated through chemical signals, and as social complexity increases, so does the requirement for a greater diversity of signals. This relationship is particularly true for advanced eusocial insects, including ants, bees, and wasps, whose chemical communication systems have been well-characterized. However, we know surprisingly little about how these communication systems evolve during the transition between solitary and group living. Here, we demonstrate that the sensory systems associated with signal perception are evolutionarily labile. In particular, we show that differences in signal production and perception are tightly associated with changes in social behavior in halictid bees. Our results suggest that social species require a greater investment in communication than their solitary counterparts and that species that have reverted from eusociality to solitary living have repeatedly reduced investment in these potentially costly sensory perception systems.

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“…Thus secretion of hydrocarbons is likely to be an ancestral trait common to all hymenopterans, while other categories of compounds that have been reported are likely to be derived traits. In Apoidea, Andrenidae, Colletidae and Halictidae are closely related clades that share esters with terpene derivatives (Hefetz et al 1979, Duffield et al 1981, Hefetz 1987.The Colletidae and Halictidae are sister clades that share macrocyclic lactones. The Megachilidae is sister to the Apidae and has triglycerides, a trait shared with Anthophorini, which is basal to other apids (Cane 1981, Cane and Carlson 1984, Kronenberg and Hefetz 1984, Cardinal et al 2010).…”

Section: Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dufour's gland secretions have been found to be involved in forming a protective lining of the brood cells in various ground dwelling bees in Colletidae, Andrenidae, Halictidae, and some Apidae (Anthophorini and Eucerini), and sometimes they also form a hydrophobic lining for their pollen balls (Hefetz et al 1979, Albans et al 1980, Cane 1981, Duffield et al 1981, 1983, Cane and Carlson 1984, Hefetz et al 1982, Hefetz 1987. Ground dwelling bees face the challenge of keeping their larval food free from microbial growth, desiccation, and soaking by water.…”

Section: B) Aculeatamentioning

confidence: 99%

Function of the Dufour’s gland in solitary and social Hymenoptera

Mitra¹

2013

JHR

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The poison gland and Dufour's gland are the two glands associated with the sting apparatus in female Apocrita (Hymenoptera). While the poison gland usually functions as an integral part of the venom delivery system, the Dufour's gland has been found to differ in its function in various hymenopteran groups. Like all exocrine glands, the function of the Dufour's gland is to secrete chemicals, but the nature and function of the secretions varies in different taxa. Functions of the Dufour's gland secretions range from serving as a component of material used in nest building, larval food, and pheromones involved in communicative functions that are important for both solitary and social species. This review summarizes the different functions reported for the Dufour's gland in hymenopterans, illustrating how the Dufour's gland secretions can be adapted to give rise to various functions in response to different challenges posed by the ways of life followed by different taxa. Aspects of development, structure, chemistry and the evolution of different functions are also touched upon briefly.

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Macrocyclic lactones and isopentenyl esters in the Dufour's gland secretion of halictine bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Cited by 52 publications

References 15 publications

The significance of multicomponent pheromones in denoting specific compositions

The significance of multicomponent pheromones in denoting specific compositions

Solitary bees reduce investment in communication compared with their social relatives

Function of the Dufour’s gland in solitary and social Hymenoptera

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