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- Colony membership is reflected by variations in cuticular hydrocarbon profile in a Neotropical paper wasp, Polistes satan (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)
- I.C. Tannure-Nascimento1, F.S. Nascimento1, I.C. Turatti2, N.P. Lopes2,
- J.R. Trigo3 and R. Zucchi1
- 1Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto,
- Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
- 2Departamento de Física e Química, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto,
- Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
- 3Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas,
- Campinas, SP, Brasil
- The current address of F.S. Nascimento is Departamento de Biologia,
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe,
- São Cristóvão, SE, Brasil
- Corresponding author: F.S. Nascimento
- E-mail: fabio.nascimento@pesquisador.cnpq.br
- Genet. Mol. Res. 6 (2): 390-396 (2007)
- Received January 29, 2007
- Accepted February 16, 2007
- Published June 27, 2007
ABSTRACT. Nestmate recognition is one the most important features in social insect colonies. Although epicuticular lipids or cuticular hydrocarbons have both structural and defensive functions in insects, they also seem to be involved in several aspects of communication in wasps, bees and ants. We analyzed and described for the first time the cuticular hydrocarbons of a Neotropical paper wasp, Polistes satan, and found that variation in hydrocarbon profile was sufficiently strong to discriminate individuals according to their colony membership. Therefore, it seems that small differences in the proportion of these compounds can be detected and used as a chemical-based cue by nestmates to detect invaders and avoid usurpation.
Key words: Chemical identity, Cuticular hydrocarbons, Kin selection, Social wasps
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