Morphometric analysis of the brain in the castes of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) during postembryonic development

This paper compares morphometric data of brains in the castes of the ant Ac romyrmex subterraneus subterraneus during their postembryonic development. The greater area was observed in adult workers, but the more significant in crease in brain area occurs in pupae with dark red eyes. Male pupae with bl ack eyes have greater brain areas, which decrease in adults. Brain size amo ng queens was not significant in the pupal stages. Comparison among castes however showed that during pupal development the queen's brain had the grea ter area. Calculations of brain volume in workers did not show significant differences in pupae stages, and approximately 75% of brain areas were occu pied by the protocerebrum. These results are discussed in relation to the b ehavioral patterns of the castes and role hormones play in them.