ABSTRACT
The complete mitogenome of Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) is confirmed. This circular mitogenome (accession number MK618724) length is 15,674 bp, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. The overall G + C proportion is 31.48%. These data expand the termite mitogenome databases, provide data support for the next phylogenetic and evolutionary studies.
ABSTRACT
Corpse disposal is an essential adaptation to social life. This behaviour promotes nest hygiene and prevents the spread of pathogens in the colony of social insects. The current study verified the corpse management in two termite families towards cadavers of different origins. We carried out bioassays with subcolonies of Cryptotermes brevis and colonies of Cornitermes cumulans, in which corpses of termite workers from the same colony, from another colony and from another species were introduced. The results showed that C. brevis consumed the corpses regardless of their origin, but they avoided the chitinous parts of the head. In this species, consumption of dead individuals, besides performing a hygienic function, seems to be a strategy for nitrogen and water acquisition. In the C. cumulans species, interspecific and intercolonial corpses were covered with soil and faeces after being groomed. Nestmate corpses were entombed, transported to the nest or ignored after being submitted to grooming. Our findings indicate that a one-piece nesting termite, as C. brevis, exhibited a simplified corpse management repertoire in relation to that performed by C. cumulans, a multiple-piece nesting species, whose approach was more complex and diverse. Behavioural responses are associated with the nesting of the species.
Subject(s)
Behavior, Animal/physiology , Isoptera/physiology , Animals , Cadaver , CannibalismABSTRACT
The essential oils extracted from leaves of the Southern Brazilian native species Drimys angustifolia Miers (DA) and Drimys brasiliensis Miers (DB) by Clevenger distillation were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The oils of DA and DB consisted predominantly of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids. The largest components of DA oil were bicyclogermacrene (19.6%), sabinene (9.7%)and myrcene (5.2%), while DB oil was characterized by cyclocolorenone (18.2%), followed by terpinen-4-ol (8.7%) and alpha-gurjunene (6.9%). Laboratory tests were carried out to determine the repellency of the essential oils to the drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae). It was observed that the oil showed repellency at the concentrations 25, 12.5, and 6.25 μg/mL. The oils of both species exhibited a negative repellency index, which represents repellent activity, except for DA oil at the highest concentration, which was attractive. Five deaths (11% of the termitesample) were observed at 25 μg/mL DA, in the fourhour repellency test, while four deaths occurred at 12.5 μg/mL (approximately 9%). The essential oil of DB did not cause any termite deaths...
Os óleos essenciais obtidos das folhas das árvores nativas do sul do Brasil Drimys angustifolia Miers (DA)e Drimys brasiliensis Miers (DB) foram analisados por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG/EM). O óleo de DA foi caracterizado pela presença de monoterpenóides e sesquiterpenóides, biciclogermacreno (19,6%), seguido por sabineno (9,7%) e mirceno (5,2%). O óleo de DB foi caracterizado por sesquiterpenóides e monoterpenóides, ciclocolorenona (18,2%), seguido por terpinen-4-ol (8,7%) e alfagurjuneno(6,9%). Os testes foram realizados a fim de se determinar o potencial repelente dos óleos essenciais contra o cupim de madeira seca Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) nas doses de 25, 12,5, e 6,25 μg/mL. Ambas as espécies mostraram índice de repelência negativo, o que representa a ocorrência da atividade repelente, exceto na maior concentração de DA, na qual o óleo mostrou-se atraente. Cinco mortes foram observadas na concentração de 25 μg/mL de DA, correspondendo a 11% do total em quatro horas de análise, sendo que 9% ocorreram na concentração de 12,5 μg/mL. No caso do óleo essencial de DB não foram observadas mortes de cupins...
