Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile)
Autor: | Jimmy Chen, Kimberly N. Basurto, Pete Kauhanen, Cheri A. Dijamco, Trevor R. Sorrells, Leah Y. Kuritzky, Deborah M. Gordon, Shelby J. Sturgis, Katherine Fitzgerald |
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Jazyk: | angličtina |
Rok vydání: | 2011 |
Předmět: |
Foraging
ved/biology.organism_classification_rank.species Argentina lcsh:Medicine Introduced species Nesting Behavior Behavioral Ecology Nest Argentine ant Animals lcsh:Science Biology Multidisciplinary Chemical Ecology biology Ecology Behavior Animal ved/biology Ants lcsh:R biology.organism_classification Survival Analysis ANT Aggression Chemical defense Linepithema lcsh:Q Seasons Introduced Species Prenolepis imparis Research Article |
Zdroj: | PLoS ONE, Vol 6, Iss 4, p e18717 (2011) PLoS ONE |
ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
Popis: | The invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is established worldwide and displaces native ant species. In northern California, however, the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) persists in invaded areas. We found that in aggressive interactions between the two species, P. imparis employs a potent defensive secretion. Field observations were conducted at P. imparis nest sites both in the presence and absence of L. humile. These observations suggested and laboratory assays confirmed that P. imparis workers are more likely to secrete when outnumbered by L. humile. Workers of P. imparis were also more likely to secrete near their nest entrances than when foraging on trees. One-on-one laboratory trials showed that the P. imparis secretion is highly lethal to L. humile, causing 79% mortality. The nonpolar fraction of the secretion was chemically analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and found to be composed of long-chain and cyclic hydrocarbons. Chemical analysis of dissected P. imparis workers showed that the nonpolar fraction is derived from the Dufour's gland. Based on these conclusions, we hypothesize that this chemical defense may help P. imparis to resist displacement by L. humile. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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