Abstract
We investigated the role of the pygidial gland on foraging behavior in two ecologically dominant column foraging Nearctic harvesting ants (Messor pergandei and Messor andrei). Using chemical analyses and behavioral tests, we show that n-tridecane is the major biologically active compound of pygidial gland secretions in both species, and that this chemical functions as a powerful alarm-recruitment pheromone. Another major compound of pygidial gland contents is benzaldehyde; this substance does not release behavioral reactions in M. pergandei workers but might function as a defensive secretion. Six solitary foraging Nearctic Messor and two column foraging Palearctic Messor species, did not have large pygidial gland reservoirs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 863-869 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of insect physiology |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2013 |
Keywords
- Column formation
- Harvester ants
- N-Tridecane
- Tergal glands
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Insect Science