Bioecology and chemical diversity of abdominal glands in the iranian samsum ant Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Formicidae: Ponerinae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The genus Pachycondyla is a large group of ants in the Ponerini tribe, known mostly from tropical and subtropical regions. Pachycondyla sennaarensis, the so-called Samsum ant in the Middle East, is distributed throughout the African tropics, Arabian Peninsula and Iran, where it is responsible for many cases of insectinduced dermal lesions and systemic reactions in humans. Populations of P. sennaarensis were studied in two regions of Iran and some aspects of their biology, ecology and medical importance are herein presented. Colonies of P. sennaarensis contain less than 850 workers that live in complicated underground galleries approximately one meter deep. Because of the harsh weather conditions of southern Iran, they can survive only in human disturbed habitats with higher humidity. Neither a real queen (without reproductive division of labor) nor a caste system is found in a P. sennaarensis colony. Observations indicated that P. sennaarensis is omnivorous, feeding on seeds of various plants, dead ants of other species, the larvae of dipterans and a few other invertebrates. The effect of the P. sennaarensis sting is usually mild, resulting in papule formation, erythema and dermal itching. The abdominal gland secretion of P. sennaarensis is a complex mixture of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and small amounts of terpenoids, ketones, pyrazines and phenolic compounds that are accompanied by straight-chain hydrocarbons. So far, no case of anaphylaxis has been reported in Iran, a fact probably due to the lack of proteins in P. sennaarensis venom. It appears that P. sennaarensis populations vary considerably in their toxin composition according to their geographic range, which may ultimately explain symptoms of different severity among local residents.

Anaphylaxis reaction to Samsum ant (Pachycondyla sennaarensis): a case series study

“…In a study by Nikbakht et al in 2009, they claimed that there was no report of anaphylaxis following PS stings from Iran until that time. Based on their research in the biology and chemical diversity of PS abdominal glands, they explained the lack of anaphylaxis with low protein content in the abdominal glands of PS in Iran (26). Here, we report 19 cases of anaphylaxis following PS sting, which is the largest report on this issue from the Middle East.…”

Analysis of cantharidin in false blister beetles (Coleoptera: Oedemeridae) by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

“…The proposed method is also a good alternative for classical solvent extraction methods [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. Compared to classical liquid-liquid method, the HS-SPME method was easier to perform, faster and more efficient, consumed no solvent, and suffered much less contamination from the other compounds in the living tissues.…”

“…Classical methods of analyzing cantharidin involve extraction by solvents. Liquid-liquid extraction coupled to gas chromatography has been the method used for cantharidine determination [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. To the best of our knowledge; there is no report which used SPME for the analyzing of cantharidin.…”

Introducing of a New Sting Agent of Velvet Ant Dentilla sp. (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in Kashan, Centerl of Iran (2014 - 2015)

“…Bees and wasps, including honeybees, paper wasps, hornet wasps, yellow wasps, and fire ants are the insects, which more probably sting (22)(23)(24)(25)(26). Copyright Fire ants, Pachycondyla sennarensis, are considered as one of the sting agents in Gheshm island of the Persian Gulf (27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33). In a preliminary checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Iran, 110 species belonging to 26 genera of six subfamilies of the Formicidae were recognized (34).…”