Banca de DEFESA: LARISSA FREITAS FERREIRA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LARISSA FREITAS FERREIRA
DATE: 16/07/2024
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Hibrído - Google Meet e Auditório da Fitossanidade
TITLE:

Social immunity in a nasute termite: the importance of soldiers

KEY WORDS:

behavioral ecology, insect-pathogen interactions, Nasutitermes coniger, Metarhizium anisopliae.

PAGES: 90
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Agronomia
SUBÁREA: Fitossanidade
SPECIALTY: Entomologia Agrícola
SUMMARY:

Eusocial insects have developed collective social immunity mechanisms to reduce the risk of disease within the colony. In addition, the division of labor is closely linked to this immunity, allowing tasks such as foraging and defense to be carried out efficiently, with individuals divided into castes with specific tasks. Among these castes, soldiers play an important role in defense, resource selection and foraging. These defenses involve a mechanical and chemical apparatus, making soldiers a key focus for understanding immunity. Soldiers of Nasutitermitinae colonies have a frontal gland that releases compounds important for alarm communication and defense recruitment. Although it is known that some termites secrete substances that can control microorganisms, the immunological and behavioral responses of termites to the pathogen have not been fully understood. The aim of this thesis was to analyze the role of soldiers and the synergistic effects of their interactions with workers on social immunity in Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Our results indicate that soldiers are prominent for their potential to initiate alarm signals in response to fungal threats, and that secretions from the soldier's frontal gland may have an inhibitory effect on fungal growth, thereby enhancing colony immunity. This work provides important insights into how complex social systems can combat diseases.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - PAULO FELLIPE CRISTALDO
Interno - JOSE DIJAIR ANTONINO DE SOUZA JUNIOR
Externa à Instituição - LAURA CAROLINA LEAL DE SOUSA - UNIFESP
Externa à Instituição - FLÁVIA MARIA DA SILVA MOURA - UFCG
Externo à Instituição - IAGO BUENO DA SILVA - UNESP