Task-related variation of postpharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbon compositions in the ant Myrmicaria eumenoides

In the ant Myrmicaria eumenoides we investigated postpharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbons. At eclosion the glands contained almost no hydrocarbons and there were no lipid inclusions in the glandular epithelium. During the first 3 weeks of adult life the amount of hydrocarbons in the gland increased...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of comparative physiology. A, Sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology Vol. 186; no. 10; p. 939
Main Authors Kaib, M, Eisermann, B, Schoeters, E, Billen, J, Franke, S, Francke, W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 01.10.2000
Subjects
Age Factors
Alkadienes - analysis
Alkadienes - metabolism
Alkenes - analysis
Alkenes - metabolism
Animal Communication
Animals
Ants - physiology
Exocrine Glands - chemistry
Exocrine Glands - physiology
Nesting Behavior - physiology
Smell
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:In the ant Myrmicaria eumenoides we investigated postpharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbons. At eclosion the glands contained almost no hydrocarbons and there were no lipid inclusions in the glandular epithelium. During the first 3 weeks of adult life the amount of hydrocarbons in the gland increased until day 5, and then remained constant while the lipid content in the epithelium increased steadily. Intracolonial hydrocarbon compositions were not uniform. Compositions of post-pharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbons in individual ants varied simultaneously, but in different manner depending on the tasks of the ant (brood-tenders, foragers, scouts). Variations on the cuticle were greater than in the gland, but they were strongly correlated. Independent of ants' age and task, cuticular hydrocarbon compositions were dominated by alkenes and alkadienes. Task-specific differences in cuticular compositions were mainly in the amount of alkenes (high in foragers) and alkadienes (high in brood-tenders). Variation of hydrocarbons was low in ants up to 10 weeks old. Thereafter, ants fell into two groups: (1) ants that did not change their hydrocarbons and remained in the nest, and (2) ants that changed their hydrocarbon compositions and became foragers. These results contribute to an ongoing discussion of the dynamic relationship between post-pharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbons.