Reproductives signature revealed by protein profiling and behavioral bioassays in termite.

ABSTRACT: Proteins are known to be social interaction signals in many species in the animal kingdom. Common mediators in mammals and aquatic species, they have seldom been identified as such in insects' behaviors. Yet, they could represent an important component to support social signals in social insects, as the numerous physical contacts between individuals would tend to favor the use of contact compounds in their interactions. However, their role in social interactions is largely unexplored: are they rare or simply underestimated? In this preliminary study, we show that, in the termite Reticulitermes flavipes, polar extracts from reproductives trigger body-shaking of workers (a vibratory behavior involved in reproductives recognition) while extracts from workers do not. Molecular profiling of the

SUBMITTER: Ruhland F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10151321 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature