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The effects of diet on the composition of the post-pharyngeal glands ofAcromyrmex octospinosus (Reich)

Der Einfluss der Ernährung auf die Zusammensetzung des Postpharyngealdrüsensekrets beiAcromyrmex octospinosus (Reich)

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Summary

In the leaf-cutting antAcromyrmex octospinosus, the post-pharyngeal glands of workers are filled with a yellow oil, whereas the same gland in alate ants contains a colourless oil. This difference between castes is due to different diets. The colouration in worker glands disappears when a colony is fed on unpigmented substrate. Radioactive tracer studies showed that certain plant materials, probably lipids, enter the post-pharyngeal glands during leaf-chewing. The rapidity with which the gland become radiolabelled indicates that these materials enter the gland directly. Experiments with vitally coloured food show that only the liposoluble fraction of the diet enters the gland.

Zusammenfassung

Bei der BlattschneiderameisenAcromyrmex octospinosus sind die Postpharyngealdrüsen der Arbeiterinnen mit einem gelben Öl gefüllt, während sie bei den geflügelten Geschlechstieren ein farbloses Öl enthalten. Diese Verschiedenheit ist auf eine unterschliedliche Ernährung der Arbeiterinnen und der geflügelten Tiere zurückführen. Wird eine Kolonie mit ungefärbten Nährstoffen gefüttert, so verschwindet die gelbliche Farbe des Arbeiterinnensekrets. Untersuchungen mit der Radioisotopentechnik haben ergeben, daß gewisse Pflanzenstoffe, vermutlich Lipoide, während des Zerkauens der Blätter in die Postpharyngealdrüsen gelangen. Aus der großen Geschwindigkeit, mit der Drüseninhalt radioaktiv wird, ist zu schließen, daß die Substanzen direkt in das Sekret gelangen. Experimente mit vitalfarbenhaltiger Nahrung zeigen, daß nur lipoidlösliche Bestandteile in die Drüsen gelangen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Zoology, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Caernarvonshire, U.K.

    D. J. Peregrine

  2. Department of Insecticides and Fungicides, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, U.K.

    A. Mudd

Authors
  1. D. J. Peregrine
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  2. A. Mudd
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Peregrine, D.J., Mudd, A. The effects of diet on the composition of the post-pharyngeal glands ofAcromyrmex octospinosus (Reich). Ins. Soc 21, 417–423 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02331569

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02331569

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