Thoracobombus from Mexico: a description of the male species-specific cephalic labial gland secretions

0505410 - ÚOCHB 2020 RIV FR eng J - Journal Article
Brasero, N. - Vandame, R. - Sagot, P. - Martinet, B. - Valterová, Irena - Rasmont, P.
Thoracobombus from Mexico: a description of the male species-specific cephalic labial gland secretions.
Apidologie. Roč. 50, č. 2 (2019), s. 183-194. ISSN 0044-8435. E-ISSN 1297-9678
Institutional support: RVO:61388963
Keywords : Thoracobombus * Mexico * cephalic labial glands * courtship behavior * species-specific
OECD category: Entomology
Impact factor: 1.828, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Open access
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13592-018-0629-4

The male cephalic labial gland secretions of bumblebees are known to be species-specific semiochemicals. These secretions that are involved in bumblebee pre-mating recognition provide efficient diagnostic characters for species delimitation. The subgenus Thoracobombus is the largest group of bumblebees and is found in the Palearctic, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. Here, the cephalic labial gland secretion (CLGS) composition of six Mexican Thoracobombus bumblebee species are analyzed: Bombus diligens, B. medius, B. mexicanus, B. pensylvanicus, B. trinominatus, and B. weisi. Our results suggest the presence of two new potential species into the formerly recognized B. weisi as well as one new potential species in the taxon presently identified as B. pensylvanicus. Moreover, the male of B. pensylvanicus, known to congregate at nest sites awaiting the emergence of virgin queens, is characterized by low concentrations of the C16 component. This observation raises the possibility that courtship behavior as well as environmental constraints could affect the role of the male bumblebees' CLGS.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0296924