Journal article
A test of neuroecological predictions using paperwasp caste differences in brain structure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Behavioral ecology and sociobiology, v 68(4), pp 529-536
01 Apr 2014
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Adaptive brain architecture hypotheses predict brain region investment matches the cognitive and sensory demands an individual confronts. Social hymenopteran queen and worker castes differ categorically in behavior and physiology leading to divergent sensory experiences. Queens in mature colonies are largely nest-bound while workers depart nests to forage. We predicted social paperwasp castes would differ in tissue allocation among brain regions. We expected workers to invest relatively more than queens in neural tissues that process visual input. As predicted, we found workers invested more in visual relative to antennal processing than queens both in peripheral sensory lobes and in central processing brain regions (mushroom bodies). Although we did not measure individual brain development changes, our comparative data provide a preliminary test of mechanisms of caste differences. Paperwasp species differ in the degree of caste differentiation (monomorphic versus polymorphic castes) and in colony structure (independent- versus swarm-founding); these differences could correspond to the magnitude of caste brain divergence. If caste differences resulted from divergent developmental programs (experience-expectant brain growth), we predicted species with morphologically distinct queens, and/or swarm-founders, would show greater caste divergence of brain architecture. Alternatively, if adult experience affected brain plasticity (experience-dependent brain growth), we predicted independent-founding species would show greater caste divergence of brain architecture. Caste polymorphism was not related to the magnitude of queen-worker brain differences, and independent-founder caste brain differences were greater than swarm-founder caste differences. Greater caste separation in independent-founder brain structure suggests a role for adult experience in the development of caste-specific brain anatomy.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- A test of neuroecological predictions using paperwasp caste differences in brain structure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
- Creators
- Sean O'Donnell - Drexel UniversityMarie R. Clifford - University of WashingtonSusan J. Bulova - Drexel UniversitySara DeLeon - Drexel UniversityChristopher Papa - Drexel UniversityNazaneen Zahedi - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Behavioral ecology and sociobiology, v 68(4), pp 529-536
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- DGE-0718124 / NSF Graduate Research Fellowship; National Science Foundation (NSF) IOS-1209072 / NSF; National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000332979400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84896073715
- Other Identifier
- 991019168094604721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Behavioral Sciences
- Ecology
- Zoology