Extractable hydrocarbons and kin recognition in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

Robert E. Page; Robert A. Metcalf; Robert L. Metcalf; Eric H. Erickson; Richard L. Lampman

doi:10.1007/BF00994197

Extractable hydrocarbons and kin recognition in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

Robert E. Page, Robert A. Metcalf, Robert L. Metcalf, Eric H. Erickson, Richard L. Lampman

Arizona State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hydrocarbons of worker honeybees of known pedigree were extracted and analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Variability in hydrocarbon extracts of individual workers is determined at least in part genetically. Correlations in hydrocarbon composition of extracts were highest among more closely related individuals. Individuals maintained in groups exchange hydrocarbons but still maintain enough self-produced compounds to retain genetically determined individual characteristics. These results demonstrate that extractable hydrocarbons of bees provide sufficiently reliable genetic information to function as labels for use during kin recognition.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	745-756
Number of pages	12
Journal	Journal of Chemical Ecology
Volume	17
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00994197
State	Published - Apr 1 1991

Keywords

Apidae
Apis mellifera
Honeybee
Hymenoptera
genetic relatedness
hydrocarbons
kin recognition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Biochemistry

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10.1007/BF00994197

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title = "Extractable hydrocarbons and kin recognition in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)",

abstract = "Hydrocarbons of worker honeybees of known pedigree were extracted and analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Variability in hydrocarbon extracts of individual workers is determined at least in part genetically. Correlations in hydrocarbon composition of extracts were highest among more closely related individuals. Individuals maintained in groups exchange hydrocarbons but still maintain enough self-produced compounds to retain genetically determined individual characteristics. These results demonstrate that extractable hydrocarbons of bees provide sufficiently reliable genetic information to function as labels for use during kin recognition.",

keywords = "Apidae, Apis mellifera, Honeybee, Hymenoptera, genetic relatedness, hydrocarbons, kin recognition",

author = "Page, {Robert E.} and Metcalf, {Robert A.} and Metcalf, {Robert L.} and Erickson, {Eric H.} and Lampman, {Richard L.}",

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AU - Metcalf, Robert A.

AU - Metcalf, Robert L.

AU - Erickson, Eric H.

AU - Lampman, Richard L.

PY - 1991/4/1

Y1 - 1991/4/1

N2 - Hydrocarbons of worker honeybees of known pedigree were extracted and analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Variability in hydrocarbon extracts of individual workers is determined at least in part genetically. Correlations in hydrocarbon composition of extracts were highest among more closely related individuals. Individuals maintained in groups exchange hydrocarbons but still maintain enough self-produced compounds to retain genetically determined individual characteristics. These results demonstrate that extractable hydrocarbons of bees provide sufficiently reliable genetic information to function as labels for use during kin recognition.

AB - Hydrocarbons of worker honeybees of known pedigree were extracted and analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Variability in hydrocarbon extracts of individual workers is determined at least in part genetically. Correlations in hydrocarbon composition of extracts were highest among more closely related individuals. Individuals maintained in groups exchange hydrocarbons but still maintain enough self-produced compounds to retain genetically determined individual characteristics. These results demonstrate that extractable hydrocarbons of bees provide sufficiently reliable genetic information to function as labels for use during kin recognition.

KW - Apidae

KW - Apis mellifera

KW - Honeybee

KW - Hymenoptera

KW - genetic relatedness

KW - hydrocarbons

KW - kin recognition

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ER -

Extractable hydrocarbons and kin recognition in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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