Wax Lipids Signal Nest Identity in Bumblebee Colonies
Wax Lipids Signal Nest Identity in Bumblebee Colonies
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蜡脂信号表明大黄蜂群中的巢身份
DOI：
10.1007/s10886-012-0229-0
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发表时间：
2013
影响因子：
2.3
通讯作者：
Ayasse M
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Rottler;Schulz S;Ayasse M
角质层脂质，特别是角质层碳氢化合物的信号功能，在昆虫社会通讯中得到了相当大的关注。通过这些物质在个人之间进行的信息传递已经得到了广泛的研究。然而，与表皮脂质的通信并不限于个体间的识别。角质层化合物也可以在巢环境中具有信号功能。大黄蜂的工蜂会在表皮上留下油脂痕迹，也就是所谓的脚印，这是它们进入巢穴的标志。此外，有证据表明，大黄蜂感觉筑巢材料，以确定他们的殖民地。在这项研究中，我们研究了大黄蜂蜡的信号潜力，并测试了大黄蜂工人是否能够在蜡气味的帮助下识别他们的殖民地。采用气相色谱-质谱联用技术对蜡提取物进行化学分析，结果表明，大黄蜂B。terrestris包含一个复杂的混合角质脂质，主要是碳氢化合物和蜡酯。比较不同巢区蜡样的相对化合物含量，发现不同巢区蜡样的气味模式不同。嗅觉仪生物测定表明，大黄蜂能够区分来自自己和外国殖民地的蜡气味。我们的研究结果表明，蜡发出的特征嗅觉配置文件，工人用来识别他们的殖民地。
The signalling functions of cuticular lipids, particularly cuticular hydrocarbons, have gained considerable attention in social insect communication. Information transfer between individuals by means of these substances has been examined extensively. However, communication with cuticular lipids is not limited to inter-individual recognition. Cuticular compounds can also have a signalling function in the nest environment. Workers of the bumblebeeBombus terrestrisleave cuticular lipid traces, so-called footprints, that mark their nest entrance. In addition, there is evidence that bumblebees sense nesting material to identify their colony. In this study, we examined the signalling potential of bumblebee wax, and tested if bumblebee workers are able to identify their colony with the help of wax scent. Chemical analyses of wax extracts using coupled gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed that wax from colonies of the bumblebeeB. terrestriscontained a complex blend of cuticular lipids, dominated by hydrocarbons and wax esters. Comparing the relative compound amounts of wax samples from different colonies, we found that wax scent patterns varied with nest identity. Olfactometer bioassays showed that bumblebees were able to discriminate between wax scents from their own and a foreign colony. Our findings suggest that wax emits characteristic olfactory profiles that are used by workers to recognize their colony.