The function of intramandibular glands of the ant Neoponera villosa (Fabricius, 1804) (Hymenoptera: Ponerinae). Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martins, Luiza Carla Barbosa; Delabie, Jacques Hubert Charles; Serrão, José Eduardo
• Is Part Of: Tropical zoology. Volume 29:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Behavior -- chemical communication -- hydrocarbons -- Formicidae -- pheromone -- sterols; Animals -- Tropics -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; 591.909305
• DOI: 10.1080/03946975.2016.1139394
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0394-6975

Abstract

Abstract : In social insects, secretions of the exocrine gland may modulate their behavior. Although many glands have their functions elucidated, this is absent for the intramandibular glands in ants. To study the function of intramandibular gland secretions in the ant Neoponera villosa, its compounds were subjected to behavioral analyses. These analyses revealed a significant increase in the walking time of ants exposed to the nestmate mandible extract. The results suggest that intramandibular gland compounds of N. villosa may play the role of alarm or scent trial pheromones.