Beekeeping practice: effects of Apis mellifera virgin queen management on ovary development

International audienceAbstractNewly emerged virgin queens are frequently imprisoned in cages either inside or outside of colonies before delivery to a new hive. Ovary integrity and proper functioning is the primary factor in a queen’s success as the colony mother. In this work, histological studies on ovaries are used to evaluate the effect of virgin queen imprisonment both out and inside the colony. The results show that the ovarian follicles of virgin queens maintained out of the colony advance only until the beginning of differentiation of oocytes and nurse cells, the vitellarium does not differentiate, and cell death is observed. For virgin queens caged inside a colony, oogenesis progresses until nurse cell and oocyte differentiation is completed, and the vitellarium shows initial differentiation. The results suggest that the best method for a head start of a queen’s fertility is to maintain her inside the colony until introduction into a new hive

Anatomia, histologia, histoquímica e ultra-estrutura das glândulas salivares cefálicas de abelhas eussociais (Hymenoptera, apidae): Silvana Beani Poiani. -

As abelhas eussociais apresentam uma variedade de glândulas exócrinas distribuídas por todo o corpo, cujos produtos são usados no desempenho de suas tarefas. Em todos os insetos, pares de glândulas estão associados às peças bucais e, nas abelhas, as principais destas glândulas estão ligadas ao lábio (glândulas labiais ou salivares), às mandíbulas (glândulas mandibulares) e ao assoalho da cavidade bucal (glândulas hipofaríngeas). O par de glândulas labiais ou salivares dos insetos adultos localiza-se no tórax, porém ramos cefálicos se desenvolvem em algumas espécies de abelhas, formando as glândulas salivares cefálicas, as quais são plenamente desenvolvidas em algumas espécies da subfamília Apinae. O presente trabalho estudou a histologia e a histoquímica das glândulas salivares cefálicas de fêmeas e machos, em diferentes idades, de Apis mellifera e Scaptotrigona postica. Os resultados mostram que a histologia das glândulas salivares cefálicas difere entre as espécies. Enquanto as células alveolares e dos ductos são predominantemente cúbicas nas operárias e rainhas de A. mellifera, em S. postica passam de cúbicas a escamosas conforme a operária envelhece, e os ductos, nesta espécie, são invariavelmente constituídos por células escamosas. Machos recém-emergidos de A. mellifera apresentam a glândula com grau de desenvolvimento semelhante ao das operárias recém-emergidas de sua espécie, porém conforme atingem a maturidade sexual, ocorre regressão glandular de modo que nem sempre foi possível encontrá-la. Por outro lado, machos velhos de S. postica são dotados de glândulas tão desenvolvidas quanto as fêmeas de sua espécie...Eusocial bees present a variety exocrine glands disperse on body whose products are used in tasks performance. Pairs of glands are attached at mouthparts in whole insects and, in bees, main glands are attached to labium (labial or salivary glands), mandibules (mandibular glands) and floor mouth cavity (hiphofaringeal glands). Adult insects labial or salivary pair glands are located in torax. However cephalic branchs develop in some bees species, composing the cephalic salivary glands which are completely develop in some species of Apinae subfamily. The present work studied the histology and histochemic of females and males cephalic salivary glands of Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica in different ages. The histology results showed cephalic salivary glands differs between species. While cells of alveoli and ducts are primarily cuboidal in workers and queens of A. mellifera, in workers of S. postica, cells undergo of cuboidal to squamous with age and ducts invariably consist of squamous cells. Newly emerged males of A. mellifera exhibit glands in developmental stages similar to that of newly emerged workers of their species. However, as males become sexually mature, the gland degenerates difficulting its localization. Nevertheless, old males of S. postica present glands as developed as those of females of their species. Histochemical techniques demonstrate no protein inclusions and indicated the secretion of glands of workers and queens of both species were neutral lipids. The secretion gradually accumulates in the lumen of alveoli, and as a result, foragers and egg-laying queens exhibit more turgid alveoli that younger individuals... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

A glândula salivar cefálica e os compostos da secreção e de superfície cuticular em algumas espécies de abelhas eussociais (Hymenoptera, Apinae)

As espécies de abelhas eussociais usam várias estratégias para a comunicação entre os membros da sociedade com a finalidade de coordenar as diferentes tarefas das quais esta sociedade depende. A comunicação através de sinais químicos é uma das mais difundidas e tem papel primordial na manutenção das colônias. As fontes dos compostos químicos usados na comunicação podem ser várias, mas boa parte dos compostos tem origem em glândulas exócrinas distribuídas pelo corpo das abelhas. O presente estudo abrange a análise da composição das glândulas salivares cefálicas (GSC) e da superfície cuticular através de cromatografia em fase gasosa e espectrometria de massas e de testes citoquímicos para detecção de compostos lipídicos e de atividade de fosfatases ácidas nas glândulas de operárias abelhas eussociais das espécies Apis mellifera, Scaptotrigona postica e Melipona quadrifasciata enquanto recém emergidas, trabalhando na área de cria e como forrageiras. As diferenças qualitativas e quantitativas obtidas na análise cromatográfica foram submetidas a análises estatísticas. O objetivo do estudo foi o de testar hipóteses de que há correlação entre a fisiologia das células glandulares e das substâncias presentes na secreção e na superfície cuticular, a fim de verificar: 1. Mudanças na composição celular relacionáveis à função secretora; 2. Relação entre a fase da vida/função das operárias e a composição da secreção glandular e dos compostos cuticulares, ou seja, que a composição da secreção pode funcionar na colônia como sinais, tanto de reconhecimento como de capacitação para determinada tarefa; 3. Se existe a possibilidade da contribuição da glândula para a formação do perfil químico cuticular nestas espécies de...Eusocial bees use several strategies for communication among the members of the society with the purpose of coordinating the different tasks necessary to colony maintenance. The communication by chemical cues is one of the most frequent. There are several sources for the chemicals used in the communication, but most of them are produced by exocrine glands distributed over all body of the bees The present study includes analysis of the secretion compounds from cephalic salivary glands (CSG) and from cuticular surface by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and citochemical tests for lipid detection and acid phosphatase activities in CSG of workers' of Apis mellifera, Scaptotrigona postica and Melipona quadrifasciata in different phases of life: newly emerged, working in brood area and foragers. The qualitative and quantitative differences obtained in the chemical analysis were submitted to statistical analyses. The objective of the study was to correlate the glandular cells physiology comparing the substances in their cytoplasm and those found in glandular secretion and on cuticular surface in order to test some hypothesis and verify: 1. Changes in the cellular compounds related to the secretory function; 2. The relationship between the phase/task of the workers' and the compounds in glandular secretion and on cuticular surface; 3. If exist the possibility of gland contribution to forming the cuticular chemical profile in these species of bees. Previous morphological studies of glandular cells showed the lipid nature of the CSG secretion, therefore, glandular citochemical analysis aimed to show the presence of these compounds with the purpose of accompanying their production dynamics, storage, origin and discharge, while the research of acid phosphatase activity aimed to accompany the cellular development... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Histology and ultrastructure of pericardial cells of Scaptotrigona postica latreille (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in workers and queens of different ages

The paper presents a study of the pericardial cells of Scaptotrigona postica an eusocial Brazilian stingless bee. Light and electron microscopy was used in a comparative study on workers and queens of different ages, exerting different functions in the colony. The pericardial cells are found only in the peticardial sinus, mainly in groups around the dorsal vessel. Each cell is enclosed by the basal membrane and its peripheral region is characterized by folds of the plasma membrane, which form canals and loops. The points where the plasma membrane folds is frequently closed by diaphragms, that along with the basal lamina form a barrier to substances from hemolymph. Along the membrane limiting the canals and loops, an intense endocytic activity through coated vesicles takes place indicating a selective absorption of hemolymph components. In older individuals, workers or queens, the cells exhibit larger quantities of cytoplasm inclusions, heterogeneous vacuoles containing the final products of intracellular digestion, and autophagic vacuoles with concentric membranous structures. The pericardial cells general morphology is in accordance with the role in processing metabolites captured from hemolymph and storage of indigested residues. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Ultrastructural detection of lipids in the cephalic salivary glands of Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica (Hymenoptera: Apidae) workers

ABSTRACT Secretory cells of the cephalic salivary glands (CSGs) of eusocial bees produce and accumulate lipid-like secretion in the lumens of their alveoli. Correspondingly, secretory cells present typical ultrastructural features of lipid-compound producers. Previous work on bees has revealed inter-specific differences in the chemical composition of secretion, and the production mechanisms and secretory cycle of secretory cells. In this work a comparative analysis of the mechanisms of lipid storage in the CSGs of Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758) and Scaptotrigona postica (Latreille, 1807) workers was carried out. The ultrastructural location of lipids was ascertained using imidazole-osmium (IO), using individuals in different stages of their life cycles. Lipid deposits were identified inside glandular cells and in the alveolar lumens in all individuals, but differences were observed between the species. The glandular cells of A. mellifera workers presented positive reactions to IO as droplets dispersed in the cytoplasm, as vesicles and in the channels formed by apical plasma membrane infolds. In S. postica , lipid compounds were detected inside the mitochondrial matrix and in smooth endoplasmic reticulum cisterns. In both species, forager workers exhibited the largest amounts of lipids stored in the alveolar lumen. The differences between the species are discussed, taking into account specific behavioral differences

Morphological changes in the cephalic salivary glands of females and males of Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

The cephalic salivary glands of some species of bees are exclusive and well developed only in Apinae. These glands were studied with light and scanning electron microscopy in workers, queens and males from the honey bee Apis mellifera, and the stingless bee Scaptotrigona postica in different life phases. The results show that the cephalic salivary glands are present in females of both the species, and in males of S. postica. Nevertheless, they are poorly developed in young males of A. mellifera. In both species, gland growth is progressive from the time of emergence to the oldest age but, in A. mellifera males, the gland degenerates with age. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the secretory units of newly emerged workers are collapsed while in older workers they are turgid. Some pits on the surface of the secretory units correspond to open intercellular spaces. The possible functions of these glands in females and males of both species are discussed.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Cephalic salivary gland ultrastructure of worker and queen eusocial bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Eusocial bees present a pair of functional salivary glands in head, the cephalic salivary glands. These glands from workers and queens of two eusocial bee species, Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica, were examined at different life stages using routine transmission electron microscopy techniques to correlate morphology and gland functions. Ultrastructural features of worker and queen glands ducts and secretory units were descriptively compared between species. The duct cells present basal plasma membrane invaginations reaching the apical region. Intercellular space and invaginations contain material of similar electron-density to the basal lamina, suggesting that substances might be directly absorbed from the hemolymph to the gland lumen. The secretory cells are rich in smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi, and vesicles typical of lipid secretion. Secretory cells in S. postica become flattened with age in contrast to A. mellifera, where cells remained cuboidal. Mitochondria are associated with secretory vesicles and may become lipid deposits. A possible role of worker and queen secretion is discussed, taking changes in caste gland morphology and their function in the colony into account. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV. Leiden, 2009Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Storaged products and presence of acid phosphatase in fat body cells at pre-pupal worker stage of Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fat body cells or throphocytes of individuals during beginning of pupation (pre-pupae) of Apis mellifera were collected and studied by routine and cytochemical preparations for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the trophocytes present large reserves of lipids, proteins, and glycogen. Imidazole osmium treatment revealed that lipids are deposited as droplets in the cytoplasm and also within protein granules. Thiery's reaction showed the presence of glycogen inside protein granules. An acid phosphatase reaction was performed to verify the role of this enzyme in the mobilization of stored reserves during metamorphosis. Positive reaction for acid phosphatase was detected at larger protein granules, at the periphery of the large lipid droplets, and free in the cytoplasm. The contents of protein, lipid and glycogen are stored in the trophocytes at larval phase to be used during metamorphosis. The acid phosphatase present in the products stored might be responsible for their metabolization, while acid phosphatase free in cytoplasm might actuates in the trophocytes histolysis that occurs during metamorphosis for energy production. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq