DWARF GYNES IN NANNOTRIGONA-TESTACEICORNIS (APIDAE, MELIPONINAE, TRIGONINI) - BEHAVIOR, EXOCRINE GLAND MORPHOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE STATUS

Authors
IMPERATRIZFONSECA VL CRUZLANDIM C DEMORAES RLMS
Citation
Vl. Imperatrizfonseca et al., DWARF GYNES IN NANNOTRIGONA-TESTACEICORNIS (APIDAE, MELIPONINAE, TRIGONINI) - BEHAVIOR, EXOCRINE GLAND MORPHOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE STATUS, Apidologie, 28(3-4), 1997, pp. 113-122
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Agriculture,Entomology
Journal title
Apidologie → ACNP
ISSN journal
00448435
Volume
28
Issue
3-4
Year of publication
1997
Pages
113 - 122
Database
ISI
SICI code
0044-8435(1997)28:3-4<113:DGIN(M>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
The behaviour and morphology of dwarf gynes produced in worker-sized c ells of nor mal colonies in Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Meliponinae, Trigonini) were studied. The behaviour of these dwarf virgin queens wa s the same as observed for normal Trigonine gynes. The glandular equip ment is also the same: Dufour glands, fat bodies and spermathecae are present. Despite these similarities, their ovaries are different. The functional significance of dwarf gynes is unknown, but may be a basis for an alternative reproductive strategy.