Nestmate Recognition in the Ant Odontomachus bauri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

摘要

In order to study the nestmate recognition signal in Odontomachus bauri, behavioral tests and chemical analyses of the mandibular (MG) and postpharyngeal gland (PPG) compounds were performed. Behavioral bioassays consisted of placing two workers (a nestmate and an alien) on the foraging area in the surroundings of the 0. bauri nest; three types of treatments were applied. These were: whole bodies, body parts and gland extracts. In each treatment, the ant behavior was quantified. Chemical analyses ofMGvolatiles were performed using the headspace-solid phase microextraction technique and PPG hydrocarbons were analyzed by the solid sample technique. Then bothwereanalyzedbygaschromatography-massspectrometry.Workersrecog-nized conspecifics and body parts from other colonies as aliens, showing that recognition signals are found over the whole body. Dummies impregnated with MG and PPG extracts were recognized as aliens, but the thorax with MG alien extract received more attacks than the thorax with the nestmate extract. Chemical analyses showed that MGvolatiles have intercolonial variation. Most of the behavioral and chemical evidence show that MG volatiles are involved in the nestmate recognition system.