Reproductive Status of the social wasp Polistes versicolor (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Authors

  • Viviana O. Torres Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados
  • Denise Sguarizi-Antonio Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul
  • Sandro Marcio Lima Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul
  • Luis Humberto da Cunha Andrade Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul
  • William Fernando Antonialli-Junior Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i2.218-224

Keywords:

Cuticular hydrocarbons, Ovarian development, Polistinae.

Abstract

A fundamental feature in the evolution of social insects is the separation of castes, and the presence of wide differentiation between castes indicates a more advanced degree of sociability. In this study, we evaluated factors that indicate the reproductive status of females in colonies of the social wasp Polistes versicolor. The reproductive status of each female was examined by measuring nine morphometric characters, by the cuticular chemical profile, insemination and by her relative age. We conclude that in P. versicolor colonies there are 3 female groups that show cuticular chemical profile difference. The first group belong to females with ovarioles filamentous, typical of workers; the second is females with ovarioles intermediates; and the third is a group of queens, which are older females, inseminated and with greater degree of ovarian development found among all females. On the other hand, there was no significant morphological differences between these female groups. Therefore, although no significant morphological differences among females there are other factors such as the cuticular chemical composition that is an indicative of reproductive physiological condition of female in the colony.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Denise Sguarizi-Antonio, Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul

Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental

References

Antonialli-Junior, W.F., Lima, S.M., Andrade, L.H.C. & Súarez, Y.R.. (2007). Comparative study of the cuticular hydrocarbon in queens, workers and males of Ectatomma vizottoi (Hyminoptera, Formicidae) by Fourier transform-infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy. Genetics and Molecular Research, 6: 492-499.

Antonialli-Junior, W.F., Andrade, S.M., Súarez, Y.R. & Lima, S.M. (2008). Intra- and interspecific variation of cuticular hydrocarbon composition in two Ectatomma species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy. Genetics and Molecular Research, 7: 559–566. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol7-2gmr454

Baio, M.V., Noll, F.B. & Zucchi, R. (2003). Shape differences rather than size differences between castes in the Neotropical swarm-founding wasp Metapolybia docilis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 3: 10. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-3-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-3-10

Baio, M.V., Noll. F.B. & Zucchi, R. (2004). Morphological caste differences and non-sterility of workers in Brachygastra augusti (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini), a Neotropical swarm-founding wasp. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 111: 243-253. doi: 10.1664/0028-7199(2003)111[0242:MCDANO]2.0.CO;2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1664/0028-7199(2003)111[0242:MCDANO]2.0.CO;2

Bonavita-Cougourdan, A., Theraulaz, G., Bagnères, A.G., Roux, M., Pratte, M., Provost, E. & Clément, J.L. (1991). Cuticular hydrocarbons, social organization and ovarian development in a polistine wasp: Polistes dominulus Christ. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 100: 667–680. doi: 10.1016/0305-0491(91)90272-F. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0491(91)90272-F

Bonckaert, W., Drijfhout, F.P., D’Ettorre, P., Billen, J. & Wenseleers, T. (2012). Hydrocarbon signatures of egg maternity, caste membership and reproductive status in the common wasp. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 38: 42-51. doi: 10.1007/s10886-011-0055-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-011-0055-9

Bourke, A.F.G. (1999). Colony size, social complexity and reproductive conflict in social insects. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 12: 245-25. doi: 10.1046/j.1420-9101.1999.00028.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1420-9101.1999.00028.x

Cumber, R.A. (1951). Some observations on the biology of the Australia wasp Polistes humilis Fabr. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) on North Auckland (New Zeland) with special reference to the nature of work caste. Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Series A, General Entomology, 26: 11-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3032.1951.tb00104.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3032.1951.tb00104.x

Dapporto, L., Sledge, F.M. & Turillazzi, S. (2005). Dynamics of cuticular chemical profiles of Polistes dominulus workers in orphaned nests (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Journal of Insect Physiology, 51: 969-973. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2005.04.011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2005.04.011

Dapporto, L., Lambardi, D. & Turillazzi, S. (2008). Not only cuticular lipids: First evidence of differences between foundresses and their daughters in polar substances in the paper wasp Polistes dominulus. Journal of Insect Physiology, 54: 89-95. doi:10.1016/j.jinsphys.2007.08.005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2007.08.005

Felippotti, G.T., Noll, F.B. & Mateus, S. (2007). Morphological studies on castes of Protopolybia chartergoides (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini) observed in colonies during male production stage. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 51: 494-500. doi: 10.1590/S0085-56262007000400015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0085-56262007000400015

Felippotti, G.T., Mateus, L., Mateus, S., Noll, F.B. & Zucchi, R. (2010). Morphological caste differences in three species of the Neotropical genus Clypearia (Hymenoptera: Polistinae: Epiponini). Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, 2010: 1-9. doi: 10.1155/2010/410280. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/410280

Ferreira, A.C., Cardoso C.A.L., Neves, E.F., Súarez, Y.R., Antonialli-Junior, W.F. (2012) Distinct linear hydrocarbon profiles and chemical strategy of facultative pasasitism among Mischocyttarus wasps. Genetics and Molecular Research, 11: 4351-4359. doi: 10.4238/2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/2012.September.25.3

Gadagkar, R, Bhagavan, S., Chandrashekara, & Vinutha, C. (1991). The role of larval nutrition in pre-imaginal biasing of caste in the primitively eusocial wasp Ropalidia maginata (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Ecological Entomology, 16: 435-440. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2311.1991.tb00236.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1991.tb00236.x

Giannotti E., & Machado, V.L.L. (1999). Behavioral castes in the primitively eussocial wasp Polistes lanio Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 43: 185-190.

Gobbi, N., Noll, F.B. & Penna, M.A.H. (2006). “Winter” aggregations, colony cycle, and seasonal phenotypic change in the paper wasp Polistes versicolor in subtropical Brazil. Naturwissenschaften, 93: 487-494. doi: 10.1007/s00114-006-0140-z. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-006-0140-z

Hunt, J.H., Mutti, N.S., Havukainen, H. Henshaw, M.T. & Amdam, G.V. (2011). Development of an RNA interference tool, characterization of its target, and an ecological test of caste differentiation in the eusocial wasp Polistes. PLoS ONE 6(11): e26641. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026641. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0026641

Jeanne, R.L. (1972). Social biology of the Neotropical wasp Mischocyttarus drewseni. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 144: 63-150.

Jeanne, R.L. (1991). The Swarm-founding Polistinae. In The Social Biology of wasps (pp.191-231). Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, xvii+678 p. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7591/9781501718670-009

Keeping, M.G. (2002). Reproductive and worker castes in the primitively eusocial wasp Belonogaster petiolata (DeGeer) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae): evidence for pre-imaginal differentiation. Journal of Insect Physiology, 48: 867–879. doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1910(02)00156-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1910(02)00156-7

Liebig, J., Peeters, C., Oldham, N.J., Markstädter, C. & Hölldobler, B. (2000). Are variations in cuticular hydrocarbons of queens and workers a reliable signal of fertility in the ant Harpegnathos saltator ?. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 97: 4124-4131. doi: 10.1073/pnas.97.8.4124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.97.8.4124

Lockey, K.H. (1988). Lipids of the insect cuticle: origin, composition and function. Comparative, Biochemistry and Physiology, 89: 595–645. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0491(88)90305-7

Mateus, S., Noll, F.B. & Zucchi, R. (1997). Morphological caste differences in the Neotropical swarm-founding Polistinae wasp, Parachartegus smithii (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 105(3-4): 129-139.

Mateus, S., Noll, F.B. & Zucchi, R. (1999). Caste differences and related bionomic aspects of Chartergellus communis, a neotropical swarm-founding polistinae wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Epiponini). Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 107: 391–406.

Mateus, S., Noll, F.B. & Zucchi, R. (2004). Caste flexibility and variation according to the colony cycle in the swarm-founding wasps, Parachartergus fraternus (Gribodo) (Hymenoptera; Apidae: Epipoini). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 77: 470-483. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2317/E-40.1

Monnin, T. (2006). Chemical recognition of reproductive status in social insects. Annales Zoologici Fennici, 43(5-6): 515-530.

Murakami, A.S.N. & Shima, S.N. (2006). Nutritional and social hierarchy establishment of the primitively eusocial wasp Mischocyttarus cassununga (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Mischocyttarini) and related aspects. Sociobiology, 48: 183-207.

Murakami, A.S.N., Shima, S.N. & Desuó, I.C. (2009). More than one inseminated female in colonies of the independent-founding wasp Mischocyttarus cassununga Von Ihering (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 53: doi: 10.1590/S0085-56262009000400017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0085-56262009000400017

Neves, E.F., Andrade, L.H.C., Súarez, Y.R., Lima, S.M. & Antonialli-junior, W.F. (2012). Age-related changes in the surface pheromones of the wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Genetics and Molecular Research: 11(3), 1891-1898. doi: 10.4238/2012.July.19.8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/2012.July.19.8

Noll, F.B., Simões, D. & Zucchi, R. (1997). Morphological caste differences in the neotropical swarm-founding wasps: Agelaia m. multipicta and Agelaia p. pallipes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Ethology, Ecology and Evolution, 4: 361-372. doi: 10.1080/08927014.1997.9522878. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08927014.1997.9522878

Noll, F.B., Wenzel, J.W. & Zucchi, R. (2004). Evolution of caste in neotropical swarm-founding wasps (Hymenoptera: Ves-pidae: Epiponini). American Museum Novitates, 3467: 1–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1206/0003-0082(2004)467<0001:EOCINW>2.0.CO;2

O’Donnell, S. (1995). Necrophagy by Neotropical Swarm-Founding Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini). Biotropica, 27: 133–136. doi: 10.2307/2388911. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2388911

O’Donnell, S. (1998). Dominance and polyethism in the eusocial wasp Mischocyttarus mastigophorus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 43: 327-331. doi: 10.1007/s002650050498. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650050498

Peeters, C., Monnin, T. & Malosse, C. (1999). Cuticular hydrocarbons correlated with reproductive status in a queen less ant. Proceedings of the Royal Society London B. Biol., 266: 1323–1327. doi:10.1098/rspb.1999.0782. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1999.0782

Provost, E., Blight, O., Tirard, A. & Renucci, M. (2008). Hydrocarbons and insects’ social physiology. Pp. 19–72. In. Maes R. P. (ed.), Insect Physiology: new research. Nova Science Publishers.

Quinn, G.P. & Keough, M.J. (2002). Experimental design and data analysis for biologists. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 520 p. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511806384

Richards, O.W. (1971). The biology of social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Biological Reviews, 46: 483–528. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-185X.1971.tb01054.x

Robinson, G.E. (1992). Regulation of division of labor in insect societies. Annual Review of Entomology, 37: 637–665. doi: 10.1146/annurev.en.37.010192.003225. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.en.37.010192.003225

Röseler, P.F., Röseler, I. & Strambi, A. (1985). Role of ovaries and ecdysteroids in dominance hierarchy establishment among foundresses of the primitively social wasp, Polistes gallicus. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 18: 9-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299232

Ross, K.G. & Matthews, R.W. (1991). The social biology of wasps. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, xvii+678 p. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7591/9781501718670

Shima, S.N., Yamane, S. & Zucchi, R. (1994). Morphological caste differences in some Neotropical swarm-founding polistine wasps. I. Apoica flavissima Hymenoptera,Vespidae). Japanese Journal of Entomology, 62: 811-822.

Shima, S.N., Noll, F.B., Zucchi, R. & Yamane, S. (1998). Morphological caste differences in the Neotropical swarm-founding Polistine wasps IV. Pseudopolybia vespiceps, with preliminary considerations on the role of intermediate females in the social organization of the Epiponini (Hymenoptera,Vespidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 7: 280–295.

Shima, S.N., Noll, F.B. & Zucchi, R. (2000). Morphological caste differences in the neotropical swarm-founding polistine wasp, Brachygastra lecheguana (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Polistinae, Epiponini). Sociobiology, 36: 41–52.

Silverstein, R.M. & Webster, F.X. (2000). Identificação espectrométrica de compostos orgânicos. 6ª edição. Livros Técnicos e Científicos Editora, Rio de Janeiro.

Skoog, D.A., Holler, J.F. & Nieman, T.A. (2002). Princípios de análise instrumental. 5ª edição. Bookman, Porto Alegre.

Sledge M.F., Boscaro, F. & Turillazzi, S. (2001). Cuticular hydrocarbons and reproductive status in the social wasp Polistes dominulus. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 49: 401–409. doi:10.1007/s002650000311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650000311

Smith, B.C. (1999). Infrared. Spect. Interpretation: A Syst. Approach. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 265p.

Strassmann, J.E. & Meyer, D.C. (1983). Gerontocracy in the social wasp, Polistes exclamans. Animal Behavior, 31: 431-438. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(83)80063-3

Strassmann, J.E., Sullender, B.W. & Queller, D.C. (2002). Caste totipotency and conflict in a large-colony social insect. Proceedings of the Royal Society London B. Biol., 269(1488): 263-270. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2001.1880. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2001.1880

Tannure-Nascimento, I.C., Nascimento, F.S. & Zucchi, R. (2005). Size and colony cycle in Polistes satan, a Neotropical paper wasp (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Ethology, Ecology and Evolution, 17: 105-119. doi: 10.1080/08927014.2005.9522601. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08927014.2005.9522601

West-Eberhard, M.J. (1973). Monogyny in polygynous social wasps. Proceedings of the VII Congress of I.U.S.S.I. London, p. 396-403.

Wheeler, D.E. (1986). Developmental and physiological determinants of caste in social Hymenoptera: evolutionary implications. American Naturalist, 128: 13-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/284536

Wilson, E.O. (1985). The sociogenesis of insect colonies. Science, 228(4704): 1479-148. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.228.4707.1489

Downloads

Published

2014-07-01

How to Cite

Torres, V. O., Sguarizi-Antonio, D., Lima, S. M., Andrade, L. H. da C., & Antonialli-Junior, W. F. (2014). Reproductive Status of the social wasp Polistes versicolor (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Sociobiology, 61(2), 218–224. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i2.218-224

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Research Article - Wasps

License

Sociobiology is a diamond open access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of open access.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

 

    1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

 

    1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

 

  1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>