AUTHOR=Bressan Joris M. A. , Benz Martin , Oettler Jan , Heinze Jürgen , Hartenstein Volker , Sprecher Simon G. 

TITLE=A map of brain neuropils and fiber systems in the ant Cardiocondyla obscurior

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroanatomy

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroanatomy/articles/10.3389/fnana.2014.00166

DOI=10.3389/fnana.2014.00166

ISSN=1662-5129

ABSTRACT=<p>A wide spectrum of occupied ecological niches and spectacular morphological adaptations make social insects a prime object for comparative neuroanatomical studies. Eusocial insects have evolved complex societies based on caste polyphenism. A diverse behavioral repertoire of morphologically distinct castes of the same species requires a high degree of plasticity in the central nervous system. We have analyzed the central brain neuropils and fiber tract systems of the worker of the ant <italic>Cardiocondyla</italic><italic>obscurior</italic>, a model for the study of social traits. Our analysis is based on whole mount preparations of adult brains labeled with an antibody against <italic>Drosophila</italic>-Synapsin, which cross-reacts strongly with synapses in <italic>Cardiocondyla</italic>. Neuropil compartments stand out as domains with a certain texture and intensity of the anti-Synapsin signal. By contrast, fiber tracts, which are composed of bundles of axons accompanied by glia and are devoid of synapses, appear as channels or sheaths with low anti-Synapsin signal. We have generated a digital 3D atlas of the <italic>Cardiocondyla</italic> brain neuropil. The atlas provides a reference for future studies of brain polymorphisms in distinct castes, brain development or localization of neurotransmitter systems.</p>