Variation with caste of the mandibular gland secretion in the leaf-cutting ant : atta sexdens rubropilosa

In Atta sexdens rubropilosa , a strongly polyethic and polymorphic species of myrimicine ant, the contents of the mandibular gland vary with caste. Small workers of head width 0.5-1.8 mm, those generally engaged in duties inside the nest, contain chiefly 4-methyl-3-heptanone. Larger workers, those c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical ecology 1993-05, Vol.19 (5), p.907-918
Main Authors: DO NASCIMENTO, R. R, MORGAN, E. D, BILLEN, J, SCHOETRS, E, DELLA LUCIA, T. M. C, BENTO, J. M. S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atta sexdens
Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology
Biological and medical sciences
Formicidae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hymenoptera
Insecta
Invertebrates
Physiology. Development
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Summary:In Atta sexdens rubropilosa , a strongly polyethic and polymorphic species of myrimicine ant, the contents of the mandibular gland vary with caste. Small workers of head width 0.5-1.8 mm, those generally engaged in duties inside the nest, contain chiefly 4-methyl-3-heptanone. Larger workers, those chiefly engaged in foraging, and the soldier caste contain a mixture dominated by neral and geranial, with very little of the ketone of the smaller workers. The soldiers have massive glands containing milligram amounts of neral and geranial. Virgin and mated females contain essentially only 4-methyl-3-heptanone, the amount increasing after mating, while virgin males have 4-methyl-3-heptanone and 4-methyl-3-heptanol in approximately equal proportions. Mated males have less secretion and lose the 4-methyl-3-heptanol.
ISSN:0098-0331
1573-1561
DOI:10.1007/BF00992527