Ontogeny of hydrocarbon profiles in the ant Aphaenogaster senilis and effects of social isolation |
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Authors: | Katsuya Ichinose Alain Lenoir |
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Institution: | aIRBI, CNRS UMR 6035, Institut de recherche sur la biologie de l'insecte, Université François-Rabelais, parc de Grandmont, 37200 Tours, France |
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Abstract: | In ants, cuticular hydrocarbons are used for nestmate recognition; they are stored in the postpharyngeal gland and shared among the individuals. Newly emerged ants have a very small quantity of hydrocarbons. We studied the ontogeny of the hydrocarbon profile in Aphaenogaster senilis. The total quantities of both cuticular and postpharyngeal gland (PPG) hydrocarbons increased with age from 0 to 20 days after emergence and then stabilised. These quantities are correlated with the development of the ovary. Under individual social isolation, cuticular hydrocarbons increased as normal, but the total quantity of PPG hydrocarbons never increased from the initial low level. This effect of social isolation on the PPG hydrocarbon level indicates the importance of hydrocarbon transfer between nestmates through the PPG and lends support to the gestalt model of nestmate recognition. To cite this article: K. Ichinose, A. Lenoir, C. R. Biologies 332 (2009). |
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Keywords: | Cuticular hydrocarbons Postpharyngeal gland Ontogeny Colony odour Social isolation OvaryMots-clé s: Hydrocarbures cuticulaires Glande postpharyngienne Ontogenè se Odeur coloniale Isolement social Ovaires |
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