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Comparative Study of Mandibular Gland Secretions of Workers of Ponerine Ants

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Abstract

The chemical contents of the mandibular glands of workers of eight species of ponerine ants have been analyzed and quantified. In three species (Ectatomma sp. from Brazil, Odontomachus bauri, and Pachycondyla striata) the contents were essentially a mixture of alkylpyrazines only. Three species (Odontoponera transversa, Pachycondyla indica, and Pachycondyla obscuricornis) contained a mixture of alkylpyrazines and oxygenated compounds and some simple terpenes; and the remaining two (Diacamma vagans and a Diacamma sp. from India) had only oxygenated compounds present. The two Diacamma species were notable in containing a dioxaspiroundecane (a spiroketal), not hitherto found in ants. All the 33 known mandibular gland analyses of workers of ponerine ant species have been brought together in order to seek some pattern in the type of glandular contents. Although the majority (24 species) produce alkylpyrazines, there is no observable pattern on a tribe or genus level.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, England, ST5 5BG

    E. David Morgan, Ruth R. Do Nascimento & Sarah J. Keegans

  2. Zoological Institute, University of Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Johan Billen

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  1. E. David Morgan
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  2. Ruth R. Do Nascimento
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  3. Sarah J. Keegans
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  4. Johan Billen
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Morgan, E.D., Do Nascimento, R.R., Keegans, S.J. et al. Comparative Study of Mandibular Gland Secretions of Workers of Ponerine Ants. J Chem Ecol 25, 1395–1409 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020987028163

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