Phenotypic plasticity of nest-mate recognition cues in formica exsecta ants

Martin, SJ; Drijfhout, FP; Hart, AG

Abstract

It is well established that many ant species have evolved qualitatively distinct species-specific chemical profile that are stable overlarge geographical distances. Within these species profiles quantitative variations in the chemical profile allows distinct colony-specific odours to arise (chemotypes) that are shared by all colony members. This help maintains social cohesion, includingdefence of their colonies against all intruders, including con-specifics. How these colony -level chemotypes are maintainedamong nest-mates has long been debated. The two main theories are; each ant is able to biochemically adjust its chemical profileto‘match’that of its nest-mates and or the queen, or all nest-mates share their individually generated chemical profile viatrophollaxis resulting in an average nest-mate profile. This‘mixing’idea is better known as theGestaltmodel. Unfortunately,it has been very difficult to experimentally test these two ideas in a single experimental design. However, it is now possible usingthe antFormica exsectabecause the compounds used in nest-mate recognition compounds are known. We demonstrate thatworkers adjust their profile to‘match’the dominant chemical profile within that colony, hence maintaining the colony-specificchemotype and indicates that a‘gestalt’mechanism, i.e. profile mixing, plays no or only a minor role.

Citation

Martin, S., Drijfhout, F., & Hart, A. (2019). Phenotypic plasticity of nest-mate recognition cues in formica exsecta ants. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 45(9), 735-740. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-019-01103-2

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 22, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Sep 2, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 2, 2019
• Deposit Date: Sep 3, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 3, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Chemical Ecology
• Print ISSN: 0098-0331
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-1561
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 735-740
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-019-01103-2
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-019-01103-2
• Related Public URLs: https://link.springer.com/journal/10886