The behavioral repertoire of one mandibular gland compound on Apterostigma dentigerum
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Date
2017-09-14
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Abstract
Social insects have evolved elaborate chemical communication systems that support sophisticated social structuring among nestmates. We therefore investigated the behavioral responses of Apterostigma dentigerum to one mandibular gland compounds, 3-octanone, along with ethanol as the control. This compound is one of eleven found in the mandibular glands of A. dentigerum. Typically, 3-octanone is combined with other compounds, in a myriad of concentrations, to cause alarm in the ants, and is found in nature in as human breath and sweat. We aim to determine if this shy species will exhibit alarm responses similar to other attines or if its behavioral repertoire is unique to its genus.
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Attini, fungus-growing ants, mandibular gland, compounds, behavior, ecology