« Previous AbstractCharacterizing serotonin biosynthesis in Setaria viridis leaves and its effect on aphids    Next AbstractOdorant-binding proteins and chemosensory proteins in pheromone detection and release in the silkmoth Bombyx mori »

Behav Processes

Title:		"Abdomen stroking behaviour and its possible functions in Polistes dominulus (christ) (hymenoptera, vespidae)"
Author(s):		Dani FR; Cervo R; Turillazzi S;
Address:		"Departimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, Universita di Firenze, Florence, Italy"
Journal Title:		Behav Processes
Year:		1992
Volume:		28
Issue:		1-Feb
Page Number:		51 - 58
DOI:		10.1016/0376-6357(92)90048-I
ISSN/ISBN:		0376-6357 (Print) 0376-6357 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The behaviour of stroking the abdomen over the nest surface has previously been described in females of only a few Polistes wasp species, and was considered to be associated with pheromonal release. This study examines abdomen stroking in solitary and multiple female laboratory colonies of Polistes dominulus during the pre-emergence period. In multiple female colonies stroking behaviour is related to hierarchy: alpha females stroking more than subordinates. However, after removal of the dominant female the subordinate increases her stroking rate. Solitary females also stroke but, unlike alpha females, they do so less during the egg-stage than in subsequent stages of the colonial cycle. It is hypothesized that abdomen stroking cues the immature brood as to which adult female is the dominant individual; this could lead to competition between females on the same nest. This function is also discussed in the context of intra- and inter-specific Polistes parasites, where the behaviour is particularly evident"
Keywords:
Notes:		"PubMed-not-MEDLINEDani, F R Cervo, R Turillazzi, S eng Netherlands 1992/12/01 Behav Processes. 1992 Dec; 28(1-2):51-8. doi: 10.1016/0376-6357(92)90048-I"