Deciphering the variation in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of six European honey bee subspecies.
Chemical communication
Climate adaptation
Ecology
Honey bees
Social insects
Journal
BMC ecology and evolution
ISSN: 2730-7182
Titre abrégé: BMC Ecol Evol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101775613
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024
Historique:
received:
04
09
2024
accepted:
18
10
2024
medline:
29
10
2024
pubmed:
29
10
2024
entrez:
29
10
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) subspecies exhibit local adaptive traits that evolved in response to the different environments that characterize their native distribution ranges. An important trait is the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile, which helps to prevent desiccation and mediate communication. We compared the CHC profiles of six European subspecies (A. m. mellifera, A. m. carnica, A. m. ligustica, A. m. macedonica, A. m. iberiensis, and A. m. ruttneri) and investigated potential factors shaping their composition. We did not find evidence of adaptation of the CHC profiles of the subspecies to the climatic conditions in their distribution range. Subspecies-specific differences in CHC composition might be explained by phylogenetic constraints or genetic drift. The CHC profiles of foragers were more subspecies-specific than those of nurse bees, while the latter showed more variation in their CHC profiles, likely due to the lower desiccation stress exerted by the controlled environment inside the hive. The strongest profile differences appeared between nurse bees and foragers among all subspecies, suggesting an adaptation to social task and a role in communication. Foragers also showed an increase in the relative amount of alkanes in their profiles compared to nurses, indicating adaptation to climatic conditions.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39468449
doi: 10.1186/s12862-024-02325-z
pii: 10.1186/s12862-024-02325-z
doi:
Substances chimiques
Hydrocarbons
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
131Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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