(Press-News.org) European paper wasps (Polistes dominula) advertise the size of their poison glands to potential predators, finds a new study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Frontiers in Zoology. The brighter the colour, the larger the poison gland.
Aposematism is used by many different animals to warn potential predators that they are poisonous. Usually this takes the form of distinctive colouration or patterns which predators quickly learn to avoid. Paper wasps have conspicuous yellow and black patterns covering their bodies and researchers from University of Granada and the University of Almería found that when they compared the size of a wasp's poison gland to the brightness of its colour there was a direct relationship.
Dr Gregorio Moreno-Rueda, who led this study explained, "It might be thought that bigger wasps have bigger poison glands, and this is indeed true, but even when the data was adjusted to take in to account the size of the insect, a positive correlation between gland size and brightness remained."
But producing both the poison and the distinctive colouration is costly to the wasp. To get around this problem some species, such as hoverflies, have learnt to mimic poisonous ones. But other animals use colouration as a truthful (Zahavian) signal. In this case the wasp would be signalling that it is so strong and healthy that it can waste energy producing bright colour; and a strong and healthy wasp will contain a lot of poison.
Dr Moreno-Rueda continued, "A second possibility is that the pigment is also an antioxidant that helps protect the insect from its own poison or from the by-products of poison production. Consequently an insect which has a lot of poison will also have a lot of colour."
Either way predators need to beware – a bright wasp will leave a nasty taste in the mouth.
INFORMATION:
Notes to editors
1. Risk Brighter-colored paper wasps (Polistes dominula) have larger poison glands
J Manuel Vidal-Cordero, Gregorio Moreno-Rueda, Antonio López-Orta, Carlos Marfil-Daza, José L Ros-Santaella and F Javier Ortiz-Sánchez
Frontiers in Zoology (in press)
Please name the journal in any story you write. If you are writing for the web, please link to the article. All articles are available free of charge, according to BioMed Central's open access policy.
Article citation and URL available on request on the day of publication.
2. Frontiers in Zoology is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal publishing high quality research articles and reviews on all aspects of animal life.
3. Please credit attached image to Francisco J. Zamora-Camacho.
4. BioMed Central is an STM (Science, Technology and Medicine) publisher which has pioneered the open access publishing model. All peer-reviewed research articles published by BioMed Central are made immediately and freely accessible online, and are licensed to allow redistribution and reuse. BioMed Central is part of Springer Science+Business Media, a leading global publisher in the STM sector. @BioMedCentral
The wasp that never cries wolf
2012-08-20
[Attachments] See images for this press release:
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Massachusetts butterflies move north as climate warms
2012-08-20
PETERSHAM, Mass. (August 19, 2012)---The authors of a Harvard study published today in Nature Climate Change gathered their data from an unlikely source—the trip accounts of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club. Over the past 19 years, the amateur naturalist group has logged species counts on nearly 20,000 expeditions throughout Massachusetts. Their records fill a crucial gap in the scientific record.
Once analyzed, the data show a clear trend. According to Greg Breed, lead author on the study and a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Mass., "Over the ...
UCSB researchers demonstrate that 15=3x5 about half of the time
2012-08-20
(Santa Barbara, Calif.) — Computing prime factors may sound like an elementary math problem, but try it with a large number, say one that contains more than 600 digits, and the task becomes enormously challenging and impossibly time-consuming. Now, a group of researchers at UC Santa Barbara has designed and fabricated a quantum processor capable of factoring a composite number — in this case the number 15 — into its constituent prime factors, 3 and 5.
Although modest compared to a 600-digit number, the achievement represents a milestone on the road map to building a ...
Researchers assess stereotypes of immigrants and views on the impact of immigration
2012-08-20
DENVER — A new study led by the University of Cincinnati examines stereotypes of immigrants from four global regions and measures opinions of the impact of immigration on U.S. society. The researchers say their findings provide the most solid evidence yet that perceptions of the characteristics of Latin American immigrants in particular are strongly linked to beliefs about the impact of immigration, especially on unemployment, schools, and crime. The research will be presented at the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association.
The study was conducted ...
Binge drinking college students are happier than their non-binge drinking peers
2012-08-20
DENVER — Why do some colleges have persistently high levels of binge drinking? It may be because, at these schools, binge drinking is associated with high status and binge drinkers are happier with their college social experience than their non-binge drinking peers, suggests new research to be presented at the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association.
"Binge drinking is a symbolic proxy for high status in college," said Carolyn L. Hsu, co-author of the study and an associate professor of sociology at Colgate University. "It's what the most powerful, ...
Secondhand smoke impairs vital cough reflex in kids
2012-08-20
PHILADELPHIA (August 20, 2012) – New research from the Monell Center reveals that exposure to secondhand smoke decreases sensitivity to cough-eliciting respiratory irritants in otherwise healthy children and adolescents. The findings may help to explain why children of smokers are more likely to develop pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases and also are more likely to experiment with smoking during adolescence.
"Cough protects our lungs from potentially damaging environmental threats, such as chemicals and dust. Living with a parent who smokes weakens this reflex, ...
JJ Schultz Releases 4th Studio Album
2012-08-20
JJ Schultz released his fourth studio album, Carolina, on Saturday August 11th. Following his albums Bustin' Outa Town, Something To Me, and Traveling Songs, Carolina features a stripped down Americana sound, communicating one man's struggle with love and manhood. With whiskey soaked lyrics, sparse guitars, and a heavenly Hammond B3, Schultz's Western Roots music weaves a lush, intricate mood.
The album features a combination of Schultz's solo work as well as numbers with his full band. On the solo tracks, Schultz's relaxed and almost casual guitar picking is accompanied ...
GiftWorksPlus Celebrates National Middle Child Day in August
2012-08-20
August is a busy time of year as summer activities begin to wane and preparations for back to school begin. Remember to treasure this time with your children—especially with the middle child who tends to "get lost in the shuffle."
As National Middle Child Day is celebrated in August, GiftWorksPlus recommends family picture frames to mark this event as well as other treasured moments that are here today and gone tomorrow. These custom wooden frames are engraved with names, dates, and personal messages at no additional cost. And, as always, these personalized ...
Nicholls Auction Marketing Group announces the Online Only Auction of Two Newport News, VA Investment Homes in the Marknet Alliance National Real Estate Auction
2012-08-20
"Properties marketed by NAMG will receive world wide exposure when included in the Marknet Alliance National Real Estate Auction," said John Nicholls, president of the company. "These are excellent investment properties or primary residences. The bidding will be done in an online only format, so bid early and bid often and be the new owners of these homes. Bidding ends on August 31."
"220 Buxton Street is a 3 bedroom, 770 sq. ft. income producing home on a .12 acre lot. The home's highlights include a fenced backyard, electric heat and vinyl ...
BenevolenceInc.com names A. Andersen of Honolulu, HI July Drawing Winner
2012-08-20
BenevolenceInc.com has named A. Andersen of Honolulu, HI the website's July Drawing Winner. Andersen has won a Seasource Detox Spa Foaming Sea Salt Scrub, valued at $37, and also 20% back on her next order. Andersen made a purchase during the month of July and was automatically entered in the BenevolenceInc.com's monthly drawing.
The Seasource Detox Spa Foaming Sea Salt Scrub is described as a mild body buffer that lathers into a rich foam. The scrub is designed to gently exfoliate and cleanse toxins from the skin's surface. By doing this, the product increases microcirculation ...
Your Own Sacred Story with Jeff Stockton and Christina Pratt August 21 Why Shamanism Now Radio Show
2012-08-20
Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network on Tuesday, August 21, at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time, on her show "Why Shamanism Now?: A Practical Path to Authenticity," shaman and founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing Christina Pratt welcomes guest Jeff Stockton as they ponder the question: Where are you in your own Sacred Story? Pratt and Stockton tell listeners that our stories can weave and hold us together or it can unravel you bearings in life and tear us from your true selves. Stories have power; they can heal and they can harm. ...