TU Darmstadt / ULB / TUbiblio

Genetic relatedness and chemical profiles in an unusually peaceful eusocial bee.

Leonhardt, Sara Diana ; Form, Sven ; Blüthgen, Nico ; Schmitt, Thomas ; Feldhaar, Heike (2011)
Genetic relatedness and chemical profiles in an unusually peaceful eusocial bee.
In: Journal of chemical ecology, 37 (10)
Artikel, Bibliographie

Kurzbeschreibung (Abstract)

Colonies of the stingless bee Tetragonilla collina frequently occur in unusually high densities and in direct neighborhood (nest aggregations), in rainforests of Southeast Asia. To investigate whether close relatedness and/or similar chemical profiles facilitate the co-occurrence of multiple T. collina colonies, we investigated aggressive behavior, genetic relatedness and cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles within and between colonies and nest aggregations. Although 17 out of 19 colonies within aggregations were largely unrelated, intraspecific aggression between different colonies was basically absent both within and among aggregations. This lack of aggression should favor social parasitism and hence the occurrence of unrelated individuals within a colony. However, low within-colony relatedness was found in only five out of 19 colonies where it may be explained by queen turnover or the occurrence of foreign workers. CHC profiles of colonies within and among aggregations were statistically different. However, many workers could chemically not be assigned to their maternal colony, indicating considerable overlap among colonies in odor profiles of workers. Moreover, odor profiles tended to be more similar within than among aggregations, although most colonies were unrelated. Thus, CHC profiles were a poor indicator of relatedness in T. collina. The lack of correlation between relatedness and chemical similarity in T. collina may be explained by the incorporation of resin-derived terpenes in their CHC profiles. The composition of these terpenes was highly similar among colonies, particularly within aggregations, hence potentially decreasing chemical distinctiveness and increasing behavioral tolerance.

Typ des Eintrags: Artikel
Erschienen: 2011
Autor(en): Leonhardt, Sara Diana ; Form, Sven ; Blüthgen, Nico ; Schmitt, Thomas ; Feldhaar, Heike
Art des Eintrags: Bibliographie
Titel: Genetic relatedness and chemical profiles in an unusually peaceful eusocial bee.
Sprache: Englisch
Publikationsjahr: 2011
Titel der Zeitschrift, Zeitung oder Schriftenreihe: Journal of chemical ecology
Jahrgang/Volume einer Zeitschrift: 37
(Heft-)Nummer: 10
URL / URN: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10886-011-0016-3
Kurzbeschreibung (Abstract):

Colonies of the stingless bee Tetragonilla collina frequently occur in unusually high densities and in direct neighborhood (nest aggregations), in rainforests of Southeast Asia. To investigate whether close relatedness and/or similar chemical profiles facilitate the co-occurrence of multiple T. collina colonies, we investigated aggressive behavior, genetic relatedness and cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles within and between colonies and nest aggregations. Although 17 out of 19 colonies within aggregations were largely unrelated, intraspecific aggression between different colonies was basically absent both within and among aggregations. This lack of aggression should favor social parasitism and hence the occurrence of unrelated individuals within a colony. However, low within-colony relatedness was found in only five out of 19 colonies where it may be explained by queen turnover or the occurrence of foreign workers. CHC profiles of colonies within and among aggregations were statistically different. However, many workers could chemically not be assigned to their maternal colony, indicating considerable overlap among colonies in odor profiles of workers. Moreover, odor profiles tended to be more similar within than among aggregations, although most colonies were unrelated. Thus, CHC profiles were a poor indicator of relatedness in T. collina. The lack of correlation between relatedness and chemical similarity in T. collina may be explained by the incorporation of resin-derived terpenes in their CHC profiles. The composition of these terpenes was highly similar among colonies, particularly within aggregations, hence potentially decreasing chemical distinctiveness and increasing behavioral tolerance.

Fachbereich(e)/-gebiet(e): 10 Fachbereich Biologie
10 Fachbereich Biologie > Komplexe ökologische Netzwerke
Hinterlegungsdatum: 27 Mär 2013 10:36
Letzte Änderung: 27 Mär 2013 10:36
PPN:
Export:
Suche nach Titel in: TUfind oder in Google
Frage zum Eintrag Frage zum Eintrag

Optionen (nur für Redakteure)
Redaktionelle Details anzeigen Redaktionelle Details anzeigen