A conserved class of queen pheromones? Re-evaluating the evidence in bumblebees (Bombus impatiens).

ABSTRACT: The regulation of reproductive division of labour is a key component in the evolution of social insects. Chemical signals are important mechanisms to regulate worker reproduction, either as queen-produced pheromones that coercively inhibit worker reproduction or as queen signals that honestly advertise her fecundity. A recent study suggested that a conserved class of hydrocarbons serve as queen pheromones across three independent origins of eusociality. In bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), pentacosane (C25) was suggested to serve as a queen pheromone. Here, we repeat these studies using a different species of bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) with a more controlled experimental design. Instead of dequeened colonies, we used same-aged, three-worker queenless groups comprising either experienced or

SUBMITTER: Amsalem E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4633876 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature