ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
scanning electron microscopy
;
CP/MAS [13C]NMR
;
Hymenoptera
;
Vespidae
;
social wasps
;
Polistes metricus
;
nest paper
;
nest pedicel
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract The ultrastructure and chemical composition of paper and pedicel from nests ofPolistes metricus that were constructed in the laboratory from known building material were compared to paper and pedicel from nests constructed in the field. Scanning electron micrographs showed the addition of a gluelike secretion from the wasp to the construction material. Solid-state [13C]NMR, elemental analyses, and amino acid analyses indicate that this secretion is a silklike protein with serine, glycine, alanine, and proline comprising 65–73% of the identified residues.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00997166