Species specificity and complexity of Dufour's gland secretion of bumble bees

Tengö, Jan; Hefetz, Abraham; Bertsch, Andreas; Schmitt, Ulrich; Lübke, Gunther; Francke, Wittko

doi:10.1016/0305-0491(91)90348-h

Cited by 31 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The same hydrocarbons on the body cuticle are found in the Dufour gland secretion (Tengö et al, 1991;Oldham et al, 1994). The composition of the gland secretion is different in individuals of the same species originating from different colonies.…”

Section: Morphology Of the Dufour's Gland In Hymenopteransmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…In many social insects, as the bumble bees, is possible to found the same hydrocarbons on the exoskeleton and in the secretion of the Dufour gland (Tengö et al, 1991). In Stenogastrinae wasps the gelatinous substance found involving the eggs and larvae of many species was interpreted as larva1 food secreted by the Dufour gland (Jacobson, 1988;Turillazzi & Pardi, 1982).…”

Section: Functions and Chemical Secretion Of The Dufour Gland In Hymementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Dufour glands in the hymenopterans (Apidae, Formicidae, Vespidae): a review

Abdalla

Cruz-Landim

2001

Rev. Bras. Biol.

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Rev. Brasil. Biol., 61(1) (With 1 figure) ABSTRACT Associated to the sting apparatus of the aculeate hymenopterans is found the poison gland, originated from the glands associated to the ovipositor of the non-aculeate hymenopterans and the less derived Dufour gland, homologue of the coletterial gland of other insects, and found in all hymenopteran females. The Dufour gland functions is mostly uncertain in hymenopterans but in ants it is involved with communication and defense and in non social bees with the nest building and protection. In wasps possibly with kin-recognition. Differences in morphology and chemical composition of the gland secretion were observed among species, in the same species, between the castes in the social species and among individual of the same caste playing different tasks or belonging to different nest. Its original function of egg-protective substance producing, or favoring the oviposition, appear to have been replaced or complemented in hymenopterans by the production of semiochemicals with function in communication.Key words: Dufour gland, hymenopterans, morphology, pheromones, ultrastructure. RESUMO Glândula de Dufour nos himenópteros (Apidae, Formicidae, Vespidae): uma revisãoAnexas ao aparelho do ferrão dos himenópteros aculeados encontram-se as glândulas de veneno e as de Dufour. A glândula de veneno é originada das glândulas associadas ao ovopositor dos himenópteros ancestrais não aculeados, já a glândula de Dufour é menos derivada, homóloga das glândulas colateriais dos outros insetos, sendo encontrada em todas as fêmeas dos himenópteros. Nestes insetos sua função é, em grande parte, desconhecida, mas, em formigas, parece estar envolvida com a comunicação e a defesa e, nas abelhas não sociais, com a construção e a proteção do ninho. Nas vespas pode estar relacionada ao reconhecimento parental. Foram observadas diferenças morfológicas e na composição química da secreção da glândula de Dufour entre as espécies, bem como na mesma espécie, entre as castas dos himenópteros sociais e entre indivíduos da mesma casta desempenhando diferentes funções ou pertencentes a ninhos diferentes. Portanto, nos himenópteros, sua função original de produzir substâncias para proteger os ovos ou favorecer a ovoposição parece ter sido substituída ou complementada com a função de produzir semioquímicos com função na comunicação.Palavras-chave: feromônios, glândula de Dufour, himenópteros, morfologia, ultra-estrutura.

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Section: Morphology Of the Dufour's Gland In Hymenopteransmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Functions and Chemical Secretion Of The Dufour Gland In Hymementioning

confidence: 99%

Dufour glands in the hymenopterans (Apidae, Formicidae, Vespidae): a review

Abdalla

Cruz-Landim

2001

Rev. Bras. Biol.

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“…The chemical studies about the secretion of Bombus support this theory: the same hydrocarbons present on the exoskeleton are found in the Dufour's gland secretion (TENGÖ et al, 1991;OLDHAM et al, 1994). According to these authors, the composition of the secretion of the gland varies among the individual s of the same species from different colonies and probably the secretion serves for nestmate recognition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Changes in the Morphology and Ultrastructure of the Dufour's Gland During the Life Cycle of the Bumble Bee Queen, Bombus Terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Bombini)

Abdalla¹,

Velthuis²,

Cruz-Landim³

et al. 1999

Netherlands Journal of Zoology

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The Dufour's gland is found closely associated with the sting apparatus of all female hymenopterans, playing multiple roles among bees. In some species of Bombus the gland may be involved in production of nestmate recognition pheromones, but in B. terrestris its function is not certain yet. The morphology of the Dufour's gland of B. terrestris queens and the ultrastructural features of its cells were studied in different ages and behavioural stages using routine transmission electron microscopy. Measurements of the length and the diameter of the gland in the same conditions were also made. The Dufour's gland of the queen increases signi cantly in size (both in length and in diameter) with age and reproductive activity. The ultrastructural features of the gland show electrondense material that comes from the haemolymph. This material is also present in the intercellular spaces, and is conducted to the subcuticular space, to be released directly into the glandular lumen. Hence at least part of the secretion is probably taken up directly from the haemolymph. The ultrastructural features indicate a more active phase of the gland corresponding to the period of egg-laying of the queen, and a decrease in activity when the queen is in hibernation as well as after the competition point. In conclusion, the gland is probably involved in reproduction, more speci cally, in the marking of eggs.

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“…Branch lengths do not have any significance. References: 1 Rosi et al (2001), 2 Mehrnejad and Copland (2007), 3 Vardal (2006), 4 Guillot et al (1974), 5 Vinson and Guillot (1972), 6 Lawrence and Akin (1990), 7 Vinson (1978), 8 de Freitas et al (2004, 9 Marris et al (1996), 10 Huang et al (2008), 11 Cane (1981), 12 Duffield et al (1983), 13 Hefetz (1987), 14 Ayasse et al (1990b), 15 Hefetz et al (1979), 16 Albans et al (1980), 17 Cane (1981), 18 Guedot et al (2006), 19 Cane (1981), 20 Brooks and Cane (1984), 21 Ayasse et al (1990a), 22 Smith et al (1985), 23 Barrows (1975a), 24 Barrows et al (1975b), 25 Ayasse et al (1993), 26 , 27 Hefetz (1987), 28 Smith and Wenzel (1988), 29 Cane and Carlson (1984), 30 Duffield et al (1984), 31 Norden et al (1980), 32 Hefetz et al (1982), 33 Shimron et al (1985), 34 Frankie and Vinson (1977), 35 Vinson et al (1978), 36 Katzav-Gozansky et al (2002), 37 Sole et al (2002), 38 Oldroyd et al (2002), 39 Katzav-Gozansky et al (2007), 40 Malka et al (2008), 41 Tengö et al (1991), 42 …”

Section: Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In bumble bees (Bombini), the Dufour's gland has been found to increase in size and activity with the reproductive activity and age of queens, and queen worker differences in gland size have also been reported, implying a possible role as an egg marking pheromone (Abdalla et al 1999). Queen signaling and nestmate recognition through Dufour's gland has also been implied (Tengö et al 1991, Oldham et al 1994, Ayasse et al 1999. In Bombus terrestris it has been found that workers may advertise their sterility through esters secreted in their Dufour's gland, and thereby avoid being policed by queens or other egg laying workers.…”

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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Species specificity and complexity of Dufour's gland secretion of bumble bees

Cited by 31 publications

References 18 publications

Dufour glands in the hymenopterans (Apidae, Formicidae, Vespidae): a review

Dufour glands in the hymenopterans (Apidae, Formicidae, Vespidae): a review

Changes in the Morphology and Ultrastructure of the Dufour's Gland During the Life Cycle of the Bumble Bee Queen, Bombus Terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Bombini)

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

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