title: A map of brain neuropils and fiber systems in the ant Cardiocondyla obscurior.
abstract: A wide spectrum of occupied ecological niches and spectacular morphological adaptations make social insects a prime object for comparative neuroanatomical studies. Eusocial insects have evolved complex societies based on caste polyphenism. A diverse behavioral repertoire of morphologically distinct castes of the same species requires a high degree of plasticity in the central nervous system. We have analyzed the central brain neuropils and fiber tract systems of the worker of the ant Cardiocondyla obscurior, a model for the study of social traits. Our analysis is based on whole mount preparations of adult brains labeled with an antibody against Drosophila-Synapsin, which cross-reacts strongly with synapses in Cardiocondyla. Neuropil compartments stand out as domains with a certain texture and intensity of the anti-Synapsin signal. By contrast, fiber tracts, which are composed of bundles of axons accompanied by glia and are devoid of synapses, appear as channels or sheaths with low anti-Synapsin signal. We have generated a digital 3D atlas of the Cardiocondyla brain neuropil. The atlas provides a reference for future studies of brain polymorphisms in distinct castes, brain development or localization of neurotransmitter systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Institute of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of Fribourg Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Joris M A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bressan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Institute of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of Fribourg Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benz
authors.affiliation: Biologie I, Universität Regensburg Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oettler
authors.affiliation: Biologie I, Universität Regensburg Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinze
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hartenstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Institute of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of Fribourg Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Simon G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Sprecher
keywords: Cardiocondyla obscurior; fiber tracts; hymenoptera; neuroanatomy; neuropile compartements