ISSN:
1572-8889
Keywords:
parental behaviors
;
subsocial Coleoptera
;
Passalidae
;
pupal cell
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract In passalids, metamorphosis takes place inside pupal cells which are built by adults piling detritus on the pupa until it is completely covered by a cell. The results reported in this paper show the significance of an olfactory stimulus in the release of this behavior. Adults do not differentiate conspecific pupae originating from their own or other nests for the construction of pupal cells; however, they do not build these cells for heterospecific pupae. It was not possible to demonstrate significant differences between males and females with regard to the presentation of this behavior, but differences were found between “young” and “mature” adults. The former require greater stimulation and are less efficient in the construction of cells than the latter. Nevertheless, all adults, including very young ones, can perform the behavior. It was also found that, under laboratory conditions, metamorphosis is normally developed in the absence of pupal cells. Some hypotheses about the possible function of these cells are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01049146
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