Chemical profiles, division of labor and social status in Pachycondyla queens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

2001 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tentschert J. ◽  
Kolmer K. ◽  
Hölldobler B. ◽  
Bestmann H.-J. ◽  
Delabie J. ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Amanda Prato ◽  
Rafael C. da Silva ◽  
Diego S. Assis ◽  
Sidnei Mateus ◽  
Klaus Hartfelder ◽  
...  

Division of labor is one of the most striking features in the evolution of eusociality. Juvenile hormone (JH) mediates reproductive status and aggression among nestmates in primitively eusocial Hymenoptera (species without morphologically distinct castes). In highly social species it has apparently lost its gonadotropic role and primarily regulates the division of labor in the worker caste. Polybia occidentalis, a Neotropical swarm-founding wasp, is an ideal model to understand how JH levels mirror social context and reproductive opportunities because of the absence of a clear morphological caste dimorphism. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that JH influences division of labor, ovary activation and cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of workers. Our observations confirmed that JH analog (methoprene) and precocene affected the cuticular chemical profile associated with the age polyethism. Also, methoprene and precocene-I influenced differently ovarian activation of treated females (individuals treated with methoprene expressed more activated ovaries while precocene treatment did not have significant effect). These results suggest that different hormonal levels induce a differential expression in the cuticular chemical profiles associated with the workers’ age polyethism, which may be essential for keeping the social cohesion among workers throughout their lives in the colony. Furthermore, JH is likely to play a gonadotropic role in P. occidentalis. JH has apparently undergone certain modifications in social Hymenoptera, presenting multifaceted functions in different species.


Author(s):  
Diane Wilson

This study examined evidence of stress on human bone in order to reconstruct the sexual division of labor for the prehistoric Caddoan culture represented at the Sanders site (41LR2). Specifically, the repeated action stress seen in degenerative joint disease was quantified in order to infer culturally prescribed and habitual actions. Overall, the division of labor at the Sanders site was somewhat unusual among agricultural societies. Males from the Sanders site had evidence of greater stress loads. In particular, agricultural activities appear to have regardless of sex. Although the Sanders site burial population was believed to be of high social status based on burial location within the mound and grave goods, degenerative joint disease was high and activities evident from patterns of stress could not be associated with a life of leisure.


Author(s):  
Delbert E. Philpott ◽  
W. Sapp ◽  
C. Williams ◽  
T. Fast ◽  
J. Stevenson ◽  
...  

Space Lab 3 (SL-3) was flown on Shuttle Challenger providing an opportunity to measure the effect of spaceflight on rat testes. Cannon developed the idea that organisms react to unfavorable conditions with highly integrated metabolic activities. Selye summarized the manifestations of physiological response to nonspecific stress and he pointed out that atrophy of the gonads always occurred. Many papers have been published showing the effects of social interaction, crowding, peck order and confinement. Flickinger showed delayed testicular development in subordinate roosters influenced by group numbers, social rank and social status. Christian reported increasing population size in mice resulted in adrenal hypertrophy, inhibition of reproductive maturation and loss of reproductive function in adults. Sex organ weights also declined. Two male dogs were flown on Cosmos 110 for 22 days. Fedorova reported an increase of 30 to 70% atypical spermatozoa consisting of tail curling and/or the absence of a tail.


1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 576-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Muma ◽  
Ronald L. Laeder ◽  
Clarence E. Webb

Seventy-eight subjects, identified as possessing voice quality aberrations for six months, constituted four experimental groups: breathiness, harshness, hoarseness, and nasality. A control group included 38 subjects. The four experimental groups were compared with the control group according to personality characteristics and peer evaluations. The results of these comparisons indicated that there was no relationship between voice quality aberration and either personality characteristics or peer evaluations.


2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Brambilla ◽  
Simona Sacchi ◽  
Federica Castellini ◽  
Paola Riva

Research has shown that perceived group status positively predicts competence stereotypes but does not positively predict warmth stereotypes. The present study identified circumstances in which group status positively predicts both warmth and competence judgments. Students (N = 86) rated one of two groups (psychologists vs. engineers) presented as either being low or high in social status on warmth and competence. Results showed that status positively predicted competence stereotypes for both groups, but warmth stereotypes only for psychologists, for whom warmth traits are perceived to be functional in goal achievement. Moreover, for psychologists perceived warmth mediated the relationship between status and perceived competence. Results are discussed in terms of the contextual malleability of the relationship between perceived status, warmth, and competence.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Wetherell ◽  
James Davis ◽  
Patrick Henry

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