Oily substances from gastral intersegmental glands of the ant Pachycondyla tridenta (Ponerinae): Lack of pheromone function in tandem running and antibiotic effects but further evidence for lubricative function

Athlua B. Attygalle, Karla Jessen, Hans Jürgen Bestmann, Alfred Buschinger, Ulrich Maschwitz

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10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gas chromatographic analyses of volatizable material from gaster intersegmental complex glands of P. tridentata revealed the presence of linoleic acid, palmitic acid, methyl oleate, and several long-chain hydrocarbons as major constituents, which form an oily fluid mixture. The nest relocation communication of P. tridentata is tandem running. Tandem following is mediated by pheromones as demonstrated by dummy experiments with isolated gasters and thoraces and with glass balls. The secretions of all gaster complex glands, as well as hind gut contents and metapleural gland secretions, were unable to evoke tandem following. Morphology and position of the glands, lack of pheromonal function, oily properties, low volatility, and lack of antibiotic effects of these secretions strongly suggest a function as lubricants for the ants' gastral segments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8-12
Number of pages5
JournalChemoecology
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • Formicidae
  • Gaster intersegmental glands
  • Hymenoptera
  • Lubricants
  • Pachycondyla tridentata
  • Secretion
  • Tandem running

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