Neuronal plasticity in the mushroom body calyx during adult maturation in the honeybee and possible pheromonal influences

摘要: Honeybee workers express a pronounced age-dependent polyethism switching from various indoor duties to foraging outside the hive. This transition is accompanied by tremendous changes in sensory environment that systems and higher brain centers have cope with. Foraging age earlier been shown be associated with volume mushroom bodies (MBs). Using age- task-controlled bees this study provides detailed framework of neuronal maturation processes MB calyx during course natural behavioral maturation. We show already increases first week adult life. process mainly driven broadening Kenyon cell dendritic branching pattern then followed pruning projection neuron axonal boutons actual outdoor duties. To further investigate flexible regulation division labor its correlates honeybee colony, we studied modulation nurse-forager via chemical communication system, primer pheromone ethyl oleate (EO). EO found at high concentrations on foragers contrast nurse was delay onset foraging. In study, effects colony behavior were not as robust expected, no direct correlation between treatment synaptic calyx. general, assume rather acts concert other factors influencing effect being highly adaptive. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 1368–1384,