Sexual Dimorphism in the Antennal Lobe of the Ant Camponotus japonicus

Nishikawa, Masao; Nishino, Hiroshi; Misaka, Yuko; Kubota, Maiko; Tsuji, Emiko; Satoji, Yuji; Ozaki, Mamiko; Yokohari, Fumio

doi:10.2108/zsj.25.195

Cited by 53 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…A historical and often cited number of ϳ 1000 glomeruli in the hornet Vespa crabro [Hanström, 1928] is incorrect, as our closer inspection using confocal techniques revealed only about 250 glomeruli [Kelber, unpublished data]. Although we find a high number of glomeruli in all Attini, and also in other ant species such as Camponotus [Nishikawa et al, 2008;Zube et al, 2008], we cannot make predictions about the grade of social organization on the basis of glomerular number. Instead, we can assume that the high number of glomeruli, for instance in Ap.…”

Section: High Number Of Glomeruli and Its Potential Originmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…The leafcutting Attini were the first and so far the only species in which an MG was found in the sterile worker caste [Kleineidam et al, 2005]. Until now, studies on the olfactory system in other species of ants did not reveal an MG in the female worker caste [Goll, 1967;Gronenberg and Hölldobler, 1999;Nishikawa et al, 2008]. It was shown by physiological and neuroanatomical data in the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus that workers process information about the trail pheromone in regularly sized glomeruli [Zube et al, 2008].…”

Section: The Macroglomerulusmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Antennal Lobes of Fungus-Growing Ants (Attini): Neuroanatomical Traits and Evolutionary Trends

et al. 2009

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Ants of the tribe Attini are characterized by their obligate cultivation of symbiotic fungi. In addition to the complex chemical communication system of ants in general, substrate selection and fungus cultivation pose high demands on the olfactory system of the Attini. Indeed, behavioral studies have shown a rich diversity of olfactory-guided behaviors and tremendous odor sensitivity has been demonstrated. To allow fine-tuned behavioral responses, adaptations within the olfactory system of the Attini are expected. We compared the number, volumes and position of the glomeruli (functional units) of the antennal lobe of 25 different species from all three major Attini groups (lower, higher and leaf-cutting Attini). The antennal lobes of all investigated Attini comprise a high number of glomeruli (>257). The highest number (630) was found in Apterostigma cf. mayri. This species is at a basal position within the Attini phylogeny, and we suggest that a high number of glomeruli might have been advantageous in the evolution of the advanced olfactory systems of the Attini. In the leaf-cutting Attini, an extremely large glomerulus (macroglomerulus) near the antennal nerve entrance was recently described in two species. Preliminary results show that this macroglomerulus is involved in processing of trail-pheromone information. In our comparative study, we find this macroglomerulus in all investigated leaf-cutting Attini, but in none of the lower and higher Attini species. It is found only in large workers, and for all investigated species it is located close to the entrance of the antennal nerve. Our results indicate that the presence of a macroglomerulus in large workers of leaf-cutting Attini is a derived over-expression of a trait in the polymorphic leaf-cutting species. It presumably represents an olfactory adaptation to elaborate foraging and mass recruitment systems, and adds to the complexity of division of labor and social organization known for this group.

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Section: High Number Of Glomeruli and Its Potential Originmentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: The Macroglomerulusmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Antennal Lobes of Fungus-Growing Ants (Attini): Neuroanatomical Traits and Evolutionary Trends

et al. 2009

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“…Within the female caste, C. fortis queens have a higher number of glomeruli than workers and males. Other studies in ants showed that the number of glomeruli in queens exceeded that in males, but was still lower or comparable to the numbers found in workers ( A. vollenweideri [Kuebler et al, 2010]; A. mellifera [Groh and Rössler, 2008]; C. japonicus [Nishikawa et al, 2008], and C. floridanus ). That this ratio is reversed in C. fortis might most likely be due to the especially low number of glomeruli in the workers rather than to a relatively larger number of glomeruli in the queens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…The behavioral repertoires of hymenopteran males are in general restricted, which in turn results in a reduced number of glomeruli compared to females ( Apis mellifera [Arnold et al, 1985;Brockmann and Brückner, 2001;Sandoz, 2006]; Harpegnathos saltator [Hoyer et al, 2005]; Camponotus floridanus ; Camponotus ja- ponicus [Nishikawa et al, 2008] , and Atta vollenweideri [Kuebler et al, 2010]). Analyses of the number of glomeruli in C. fortis males confirm these findings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antennal-Lobe Organization in Desert Ants of the Genus Cataglyphis

et al. 2011

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Desert ants of the genus Cataglyphis possess remarkable visual navigation capabilities. Although Cataglyphis species lack a trail pheromone system, Cataglyphis fortis employs olfactory cues for detecting nest and food sites. To investigate potential adaptations in primary olfactory centers of the brain of C. fortis, we analyzed olfactory glomeruli (odor processing units) in their antennal lobes and compared them to glomeruli in different Cataglyphis species. Using confocal imaging and 3D reconstruction, we analyzed the number, size and spatial arrangement of olfactory glomeruli in C. fortis, C.albicans, C.bicolor, C.rubra, and C.noda. Workers of all Cataglyphis species have smaller numbers of glomeruli (198–249) compared to those previously found in olfactory-guided ants. Analyses in 2 species of Formica – a genus closely related to Cataglyphis – revealed substantially higher numbers of olfactory glomeruli (c. 370), which is likely to reflect the importance of olfaction in these wood ant species. Comparisons between Cataglyphis species revealed 2 special features in C. fortis. First, with c. 198 C. fortis has the lowest number of glomeruli compared to all other species. Second, a conspicuously enlarged glomerulus is located close to the antennal nerve entrance. Males of C. fortis possess a significantly smaller number of glomeruli (c. 150) compared to female workers and queens. A prominent male-specific macroglomerulus likely to be involved in sex pheromone communication occupies a position different from that of the enlarged glomerulus in females. The behavioral significance of the enlarged glomerulus in female workers remains elusive. The fact that C. fortis inhabits microhabitats (salt pans) that are avoided by all other Cataglyphis species suggests that extreme ecological conditions may not only have resulted in adaptations of visual capabilities, but also in specializations of the olfactory system.

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“…However, this number was lower than that observed in species of parasitic insects such as Rhodnius prolixus, 28 (BARROZO et al, 2009), Aedes aegypti, 50 (IGNELL et al, 2005, and Anopheles gambiae, 60 (GHANINIA et al, 2007), and it was much lower than that observed in bees, 160 and ants, 215-460 (GALIZIA et al, 1999;SMID et al, 2003;NISHIKAWA et al, 2008;ZUBE et al, 2008). The number of glomeruli is generally considered to be correlated with the number of olfactory receptor neurons, which in turn determines the complexity of odors an arthropod can discriminate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Neuronal projections from the Haller's organ and palp sensilla to the synganglion of Amblyomma americanum§

Borges

Olafson

et al. 2016

Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet.

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The present study was conducted to elucidate the neuronal pathways between peripheral olfactory and taste sensilla and the synganglion in an Ixodidae tick species. The tarsus of the front legs (olfactory nerves) and the fourth palpal segment (gustatory nerves) of unfed Amblyomma americanum males and females were excised. A neuronal tracer, dextran tetramethylrhodamine, was used for filling of the sensory neurons. The synganglion preparations were examined using a confocal microscope. Neuronal arborizations from the Haller's organ were confined to the olfactory lobes and the first pedal ganglion. The estimated number of olfactory glomeruli ranged from 16 to 22 per olfactory lobe in the females. The number of glomeruli was not counted in males because they were densely packed. Sensory neurons associated with sensilla at the distal end of the palpal organ projected into the palpal ganglion in the synganglion through the palpal nerve. Gustatory sensory neurons associated with palpal sensilla projected into a commissure with several bulges, which are confined in the palpal ganglion. The findings of distinct projection patterns of sensory neurons associated with the Haller's organ and palpal organ in the lone star tick from this study advanced our knowledge on mechanisms of sensory information processing in ticks.Keywords: Chemical sensilla, neuronal projection, synganglion, Amblyomma americanum. ResumoO presente estudo foi conduzido para elucidar a trajetória neuronal, entre as sensilas periféricas olfativas e gustativas e o singânglio, em uma espécie de carrapato Ixodidae. O tarso da primeira pata (nervos olfativos) e o quarto segmento palpal (nervos gustativos) de machos e fêmeas não alimentados de Amblyomma americanum foram excisados. Um traçador neuronal, dextran tetrametilrodamina, foi usado para preenchimento dos neurônios sensoriais. Os singânglios foram examinados através de microscopia confocal. Arborizações neuronais do órgão de Haller foram confinadas nos lobos olfativos e primeiro gânglio pedal. O número estimado de glomérulos olfativos variou de 16 a 22 por lobo olfativo nas fêmeas. Em machos, o número de glomérulos não foi contado, pois eles estavam densamente compactados. Os neurônios sensoriais associados com as sensilas, na porção distal do órgão palpal, projetaram-se no no gânglio palpal do singânglio § This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation by the USDA for its use. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. † Authors contributed equally.

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Sexual Dimorphism in the Antennal Lobe of the Ant Camponotus japonicus

Cited by 53 publications

References 21 publications

The Antennal Lobes of Fungus-Growing Ants (Attini): Neuroanatomical Traits and Evolutionary Trends

The Antennal Lobes of Fungus-Growing Ants (Attini): Neuroanatomical Traits and Evolutionary Trends

Antennal-Lobe Organization in Desert Ants of the Genus Cataglyphis

Neuronal projections from the Haller's organ and palp sensilla to the synganglion of Amblyomma americanum§

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