Effect of temperature on the chemical profiles of nest materials of social wasps. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Michelutti, Kamylla B.; Piva, Raul C.; Lima-Junior, Sidnei E.; Cardoso, Claudia A.L.; Antonialli-Junior, William F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of thermal biology. Volume 84(2019)
• Page Start: 214
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Envelope nest -- Social insects -- Colonial thermoregulation -- Temperature variation -- Paper wasps; Thermobiology -- Periodicals; Temperature -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Thermobiologie -- Périodiques; Thermobiology; Periodicals; 571.46
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.07.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4565

Abstract

Abstract: Social insects depend on their nests for protection against predation and abiotic threats. Accordingly, the chemical compounds present in the material wasps use to build their nests can both facilitate communication and repel predators. It is herein hypothesized that different wasp species build their nests with different structure and substrate materials and that such materials consist of chemical compounds related to unique wasp behavior and outside temperature variation. To test this hypothesis, nests were collected from three species of social wasps, the samples of which were subjected to temperature variation under laboratory conditions. The compounds present in the substrate were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Chemical compounds identified in the nest material of the three species responded differently to temperature variation. Chemical compounds from Polybia nests were altered significantly when subjected to temperature variation, whereas the nests of Polistes versicolor did not significantly change in relation to the control. The differences found between Polistes and Polybia nests may be related to genetic factors, but also to the type of nest they construct. It is possible that divergent evolutionary strategies for maintaining colony temperature, as a function of the chemical composition of the nests, may have appeared between wasps that have open and closed nests. In relatively small colonies, nest substrate is more resistant to temperature variation because it is composed of a greater diversity of elements and thus capable of holding heavier, longer carbon chains. Our results suggest that chemical compounds in the nest material of the three wasp species analysed responded differently to fluctuating ambient temperatures and that such variation could result from the biochemical differences of unique wasp species or from thermoregulation strategies of colonies. Highlights: Compounds in the nest material maintaining thermostability against ambient elements. Different answer of the compounds of the nest of species to temperature variation. Wasp with open and closed combs have divergent strategie for keep colony temperature. The composition of enveloped nest is more susceptible to temperature than open nest. Polistes versicolor do possess a greater number of compounds.