Phenotypic Plasticity of Nest-Mate Recognition Cues in Formica exsecta Ants.

Martin, Stephen J.; Drijfhout, Falko P.; Hart, Adam G.

Abstract

It is well established that many ant species have evolved qualitatively distinct species-specific chemical profile that are stable over large geographical distances. Within these species profiles quantitative variations in the chemical profile allows distinct colony-specific odours to arise (chemotypes) that are shared by all colony members. This help maintains social cohesion, including defence of their colonies against all intruders, including con-specifics. How these colony -level chemotypes are maintained among nest-mates has long been debated. The two main theories are; each ant is able to biochemically adjust its chemical profile to 'match' that of its nest-mates and or the queen, or all nest-mates share their individually generated chemical profile via trophollaxis resulting in an average nest-mate profile. This 'mixing' idea is better known as the Gestalt model. Unfortunately, it has been very difficult to experimentally test these two ideas in a single experimental design. However, it is now possible using the ant Formica exsecta because the compounds used in nest-mate recognition compounds are known. We demonstrate that workers adjust their profile to 'match' the dominant chemical profile within that colony, hence maintaining the colony-specific chemotype and indicates that a 'gestalt' mechanism, i.e. profile mixing, plays no or only a minor role.

Citation

Martin, S. J., Drijfhout, F. P., & Hart, A. G. (2019). Phenotypic Plasticity of Nest-Mate Recognition Cues in Formica exsecta Ants. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 735 -740. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-019-01103-2

• Acceptance Date: Aug 22, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 2, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Chemical Ecology
• Print ISSN: 0098-0331
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Pages: 735 -740
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-019-01103-2
• Keywords: chemical plasticity, chemotypes, Gestalt model, Phenotypic variation, Chemistry
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-019-01103-2