Abstract
In most subfamilies of ants (Formicidae), a pygidial gland occurs in the worker's dorsal gaster, and where tested, products of this gland function in alarm/defense and/or recruitment communication. These products are well characterized for members of the subfamily Dolichoderinae but remain unidentified for Myrmicinae. Both major and minor workers of one myrmicine, Pheidole biconstricta Mayr, are known to have greatly hypertrophied pygidial glands with alarm/repellent products. GC/MS analysis of methanol extracts of worker gasters revealed actinidine and six diastereomers of iridodials as major components, as well as lesser amounts of two lactones, iridomyrmecin and dihydronepetalactone. The iridoids also occur in the pygidial glands of some dolichoderines. Results are related to functional and phylogenetic considerations.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 305-308 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Insectes Sociaux |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2005 |
Keywords
- Actinidine
- Cyclopentanoid monoterpenes
- Iridoids
- Pheidole biconstricta
- Pygidial gland
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Insect Science