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Communication in the migratory termite-hunting ant Pachycondyla (= Termitopone) marginata (Formicidae, Ponerinae) |
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| Authors: | B. Hölldobler E. Janssen H. J. Bestmann F. Kern I. R. Leal P. S. Oliveira W. A. König |
| Affiliation: | (1) Theodor Boveri-Institut (Biozentrum), LS Verhaltensphysiologie und Soziobiologie der Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany;(2) Institut für Organische Chemie der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 42, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany;(3) Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas SP, Brasil;(4) Institut für Organische Chemie der Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, D-20146 Hamburg, Germany |
| Abstract: | The Neotropical species Pachycondyla marginata conducts well-organized predatory raids on the termite species Neocapritermes opacus and frequently emigrates to new nest sites. During both activities the ants employ chemical trail communication. The trail pheromone orginates from the pygidial gland. Among the substances identified in the pygidial gland secretions, only citronellal was effective as a trail pheromone. Isopulegol elicited an increase in locomotory activity in the ants and may function as a synergist recruitment signal. The chemical signal is enhanced by a shaking display performed by the recruiting ant. |
| Keywords: | Recruitment trails Pheromones Pygidial gland Citronellal |
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