›› 2010, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (2): 160-166.doi:

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Postembryonic development of the optic lobes in the Chinese honeybee, Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

LI Zhao-Ying, XI Geng-Si   

  • Online:2010-03-25 Published:2010-02-20

Abstract: The postembryonic development of optic lobes in Apis cerana cerana was comparatively studied by using immunohistochemical method (5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, BrdU immunostaining) and in situ cell death detection. The results showed that the medulla and lamina were generated by distinct populations of neuroblasts in the outer optic anlage (OOA), and the neuroblasts divided asymmetrically to generate ganglion mother cells. Ganglion mother cells later divided symmetrically to generate immature neurons. Generation of the medulla cortex started with the onset of the final larval instar. Generation of the lamina cortex was initiated with the arrival of retinal afferents at the optic lobes. The lobula neurons were generated by neuroblasts in a second structure, the inner optic anlage (IOA). The results suggest that the optic lobe was generated from two optic anlages, the proliferation of neurons showed a peak at prepupa, and generation of the lamina cortex was initiated with the arrival of retinal afferents at the optic lobes.

Key words: Apis cerana cerana, worker bees, optic lobe, postembryonic development, immunohistochemistry