Hydrolases in the hypopharyngeal glands of workers of Scaptotrigona postica and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apinae)

Hydrolytic enzymes from hypopharyngeal gland extracts of newly emerged, nurse and foraging workers of two eusocial bees, Scaptotrigona postica, a native Brazilian stingless bee, and the Africanized honey bee (Apis mellifera) in Brazil, were compared. The hypopharyngeal gland is rich in enzymes in bo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Genetics and molecular research 2005-01, Vol.4 (4), p.616-623
Main Authors: Costa, R.A.C, Cruz-Landim, C. da
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Africanized honey bees
Animals
Apidae
Apis mellifera
Apis mellifera scutellata
Bees - enzymology
Exocrine Glands - enzymology
Female
hydrolases
Hydrolases - classification
Hydrolases - isolation & purification
Hymenoptera
hypopharyngeal gland
Hypopharynx - enzymology
Scaptotrigona postica
stingless bees
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Summary:Hydrolytic enzymes from hypopharyngeal gland extracts of newly emerged, nurse and foraging workers of two eusocial bees, Scaptotrigona postica, a native Brazilian stingless bee, and the Africanized honey bee (Apis mellifera) in Brazil, were compared. The hypopharyngeal gland is rich in enzymes in both species. Fifteen different enzymes were found in the extracts, with only a few quantitative differences between the species. Some of the enzymes present in the extracts may have intracellular functions, while others seem to be digestive enzymes. Scaptotrigona postica, had lower beta-glucosidase and higher lipase esterase activities than A. mellifera. The differences may be due to different feeding habits and behavioral peculiarities of the two species.
ISSN:1676-5680
1676-5680