Induced mimicry of colony odors in ants |
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Authors: | Anne -Genevieve Bagneres Christine Errard Catherine Mulheim Catherine Joulie Catherine Lange |
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Affiliation: | (1) C.N.R.S-L.N.B 8 31, chemin Joseph Aiguier 13402, Marseille Cedex 9, France;(2) Laboratoire d 'Ethologie et Sociobiologie, U.A. CNRS 667, Université Paris-Nord 93430, Villetaneuse, France;(3) Laboratoire de chimie organique structurale, Université P. et M. Curie, 4, place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France;(4) Université P. et M. Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France |
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Abstract: | The cuticular hydrocarbons ofFormica selysi (Formicinae) andMonica rubida (Myrmicinae) reared in single species and in mixed species colonies were determined using gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry. In colonies containing both species, each species modified its species-specific recognition odor. This odor is composed, at least partly, of cuticular hydrocarbons. The cuticular hydrocarbons ofM. rubida consist only of saturated alkanes (n-alkanes and branched alkanes). InF. selysi the mixture also contains unsaturated compounds (monoenes and dienes). In hetero-specific colonies, a new chemical signature developed. This signature resulted from qualitative and quantitative changes in the spectrum of hydrocarbons produced by each species and permitted the two species to inhabit the same nest without displaying interspecific aggression. The readjustment seemed to be more an active synthesis or an active transfer than simply a passive transfer from one species to the other. This may imply that the ants synthesized some components of the hydrocarbon signature of the other species. These synthesizing processes may be activated under particular social environmental conditions. |
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Keywords: | Formicinae mimicry artificial mixed colonies cuticular hydrocarbons colony recognition ants Hymenoptera Formicidae Formica selysi Monica rubida |
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