Cuticular microstructure of Australian ant mandibles confirms common appendage construction

Barlow, Molly M.; Bicknell, Russell D. C.; Andrew, Nigel R.

doi:10.1111/azo.12291

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…compressus ants exhibited the lowest Zn concentration, as it is primarily a nectar-feeding, species and the mandibles are used by workers for tasks such as grooming, tending the brood and for digging nests in soft soil/wood. Even though ant mandibles might have similar microstructures as shown in a recent study (Barlow et al 2020), their morphology and design can be co-related to their respective niches and foraging habits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Comparative analysis of mandible morphology in four ant species with different foraging and nesting habits

Chowdhury

Rastogi

2021

Preprint

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Mandibles of ants can be considered as one of the most vital tools for the survival and success of their colonies since these are extensively utilised for defence, nest maintenance and foraging activities. We hypothesised that mandibular design is strongly dependent on the respective ecological niche and foraging habit of an ant species. In the present study, we compared the external morphology and zinc content in the mandibles of four species of ants by using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The ant mandible morphology varied significantly in accordance with their species-specific foraging and nesting strategies. The sickle-shaped mandibles of the strongly predaceous, Oecophylla smaragdina worker ants were characterised by a large number of pointed teeth which would be of immense utility for subduing the prey, while the shovel-shaped, highly sclerotized mandibles of Cataglyphis longipedem ants appear to be adaptations for the solitary scavenging habit and nest maintenance in arid habitats. The large-sized mandibles of Camponotus compressus ants and the stout mandibles of the predatory, Tetraponera rufonigra forager ants, have apparently evolved for collection of sugary secretions by the former and for the solitary foraging and arboreal nesting habit of the latter. The mandibular zinc content was highest in T. rufonigra ants and the lowest in the mandibles of the sugar-loving Cm. compressus ants. The diversity in the arrangement of bristles and the type of mandibular concavities, have also evolved accordingly. Thus, this study might prove to be instrumental in evaluating the various physical mechanisms involved in the evolution of insect mandibles for their defined function.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Comparative analysis of mandible morphology in four ant species with different foraging and nesting habits

Chowdhury

Rastogi

2021

Preprint

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“…[2]). This can be associated with morphological adaptations as muscle and mandible size and shape, leading to improved performance in their respective roles [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mandible elemental composition and mechanical properties from distinct castes of the leafcutter ant Atta laevigata (Attini; Formicidae)

Birkenfeld,

Gorb,

Krings

2024

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Leafcutter ant colonies are divided into castes with the individuals performing different tasks, based mostly on size. With the mandibles, the small minims care for the brood or the fungus, whereas the larger minors and mediae cut and transport plant material, with the ant size positively related to the material size. The mechanical properties and composition of the mandible cuticle have been previously tested in the soldiers as the largest caste, revealing that the cutting edges contained high contents of the cross-linking transition metal zinc (Zn). With regard to the smaller castes, no data are present. To study how the mandible size and function relates to its mechanical properties, we here tested the mandibles of minims, minors and mediae by nanoindentation. We found that the hardness (H) and Young's modulus (E) values increased with increasing ant size and that the mandible cutting edges in each caste have the highest H- and E-values. To gain insight into the origins of these properties, we characterized the elemental composition by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, revealing that minors and mediae possessed higher content of Zn in the cutting edges in contrast to the minims containing significantly less Zn. This shows, that Zn content relates to higher mechanical property values. Additionally, it shows that all of these parameters can differ within a single species.

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Reducing the risk of rostral bending failure in Curculio Linnaeus, 1758

et al. 2021

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Cuticular microstructure of Australian ant mandibles confirms common appendage construction

Cited by 4 publications

References 45 publications

Comparative analysis of mandible morphology in four ant species with different foraging and nesting habits

Comparative analysis of mandible morphology in four ant species with different foraging and nesting habits

Mandible elemental composition and mechanical properties from distinct castes of the leafcutter ant Atta laevigata (Attini; Formicidae)

Reducing the risk of rostral bending failure in Curculio Linnaeus, 1758

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