title: First Chemical Analysis and Characterization of the Male Species-Specific Cephalic Labial-Gland Secretions of South American Bumblebees.
abstract: The evolution of signals and reproductive traits involved in the pre-mating recognition has been in focus of abundant research in several model species, such as bumblebees (genus Bombus). However, the most-studied bumblebee reproductive trait, the male cephalic labial gland secretions (CLGS), remains unknown among bumblebee species from South America. In this study, the CLGS of five South American bumblebees of the subgenera Thoracobombus (Bombus excellens and B. atratus) and Cullumanobombus (B. rubicundus, B. hortulanus, and B. melaleucus) were investigated, by comparing the chemical compositions of their secretions to those of closely related European species. The results showed an obvious interspecific differentiation in both subgenera. The interspecific differentiation among the species of the Thoracobombus subgenus involved different compounds present at high contents (main compounds), while those of the Cullumanobombus subgenus shared the same main components. This suggests that among the species of the Cullumanobombus subgenus, the differentiation in minor components could lead to species discrimination.
authors.affiliation: University of Mons, Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, Place du Parc 20, BE-7000 Mons (phone: +32-65373435). nicolas.brasero@umons.ac.be.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brasero
authors.affiliation: University of Mons, Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, Place du Parc 20, BE-7000 Mons (phone: +32-65373435).
authors.forename: Baptiste
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martinet
authors.affiliation: Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo nám 2, CZ-166 10 Prague.
authors.forename: Klára
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Urbanová
authors.affiliation: Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo nám 2, CZ-166 10 Prague. irena@uochb.cas.cz.
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Valterová
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Biocalorimetría, Facultad de Ciencias Bàsicas, Universidad de Pamplona, Km 1 vía Bucaramanga, Ciudadela Universitaria, Pamplona, Colombia. datorres@unipamplona.edu.co.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Biocalorimetría, Facultad de Ciencias Bàsicas, Universidad de Pamplona, Km 1 vía Bucaramanga, Ciudadela Universitaria, Pamplona, Colombia.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: University of Mons, Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, Place du Parc 20, BE-7000 Mons (phone: +32-65373435).
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rasmont
authors.affiliation: University of Mons, Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, Place du Parc 20, BE-7000 Mons (phone: +32-65373435).
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lecocq
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012543:Scent Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000737:chemistry*; D013020:South America; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D012724:Sex Attractants
keywords: Bumblebees; Cephalic labial gland secretion; Cullumanobombus; South America; Thoracobombus