Chemicals from the glands of ants

Abstract

IntroductionAnts are social insects, generally organized into large colonies where the numerous workers, infertile females, do most of the labours except procreation, which is reserved to the exiguous males and queens. All three castes use chemicals for communication, though as yet we know little about the substances specific to males and queens. The ants have inside their bodies a number of tiny glands in which they produce (or sequester) and store a curious variety of natural products. These distinctive and diminutive laboratories have been the subject of study of chemists and biologists in recent years. The substances studied generally have small molecules, sufficiently volatile to be studied by gas chromatography, and are presumed to have a pheromone function, though that has not been proven, or even tested in all cases. These glandular substances from ants are the subject of this review.The ants belong to the family Formicidae, which is divided into eleven subfamilies:' Ponerinae, a primitive group common in Australia; Myrmeciinae, the 'bull ants' of Australia; Dorylinae, the Old World army ants; Ecitoninae, the New World army ants; Leptanillinae, Pseudomyrmecinae, and Nothomyrmeciinae, three small groups; Myrmicinae, the largest group, to which our temperate red ants belong; Aneuretinae, a fossil group with only one known species today; Dolichoderinae, a chiefly tropical group; and Formicinae, those that produce formic acid, and to which our black wood ants belong.The exocrine glands (i.e. those secreting to the outside) of ants produce a range of substances for communication that fall under the general heading of 'semiochemicals' (chemicals which convey information between organisms). Pheromones are only one type of semiochemical and transmit information between members of the same species. Semiochemicals used for interspecific communication are called allelochemics. Three main types of allelochemics are recognized; allomones, kairomones, and synomones. An allomone is a chemical emitted from an insect, which gives adaptive advantage to the odour-releasing individual (e.g. defensive and repellent secretions). In contrast, a kairomone gives an advantage to the receiver of the odour (e.g. substances that enable the predator to locate its prey). The chemical trails of the army ant, Neivamyrmex nigrescens are picked up by predators like the blind snake Leptotyphlops dulcis and the beetle Hellumorphoides t e x a n ~s , ~ which feed mainly on the brood of the ants. A synomone

Molecular Pharmacology and Toxinology of Venom from Ants

“…In the group of stinging ants, the most investigated species belong to the Myrmeciinae, Ponerinae, Pseudomyrmecinae and Myrmicinae subfamilies. They produce aqueous solutions of proteinaceous venoms containing enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins, free amino-acids and small biologically active compounds like histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and dopamine [16,17]. Venoms with proteinaceous components are considered as most primitive and are consequently found in other aculeate hymenopterans like wasps and bees [4,16].…”

“…In more derived functions, the venom gland products are used as defensive (toxic and/or repellent) agents by non-stinging ants that topically apply them on the cuticle of enemies, as in Crematogaster or Monomorium ants for example. Venom gland products can also serve as chemical communication agents (alarm and recruitment pheromones, for example) [16,17].…”

Corrigendum to: Phylogeny and biogeography of the ant subfamily Myrmeciinae (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

“…Production of monoterpene iridoids (by the pygidial gland): (0) absent; (1) present. To our knowledge, Dolichoderinae are unique among ants in producing a group of cyclopentanoid monoterpenes known as iridoids (Attygalle and Morgan 1984;Shattuck 1992a). 65.…”

Absolute Configuration of Solenopsis Piperidines is a Tool to Classify Fire Ants (Formicidae:Myrmicinae)

“…Piperidine alkaloids predominate in the constitution of most Solenopsis species and can be classified as solenopsins, isosolenopsins, dehydrosolenopsins, or dehydroisosolenopsins. [1][2][3] The most widely studied Solenopsis species are S. invicta, S. richteri, S. geminata, S. saevissima, S. xyloni, and S. aurea. 3 The significant morphological and behavioral similarity of some species has prompted studies to assist in their identification, which is hindered by the existence of intermediate hybrids.…”

“…[1][2][3] The most widely studied Solenopsis species are S. invicta, S. richteri, S. geminata, S. saevissima, S. xyloni, and S. aurea. 3 The significant morphological and behavioral similarity of some species has prompted studies to assist in their identification, which is hindered by the existence of intermediate hybrids. 5 An important tool to overcome this problem is the analysis of potentially diagnostic compounds, such as 2,6-dialkyl-piperidines and cuticular hydrocarbons.…”