Monopolization at the cost of desiccation: Reduced waterproofing cuticular hydrocarbons impairs nestmate discrimination in an ant
This article has been Reviewed by the following groups
Listed in
- Evaluated articles (Arcadia Science)
Abstract
After humans, social insects represent one of the most complex groups of social organisms, relying on a well-organized communication system among colony members. The transfer of information among individuals is primarily based on cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC). These chemical compounds, produced by all insects, initially evolved to prevent water loss 1 . They were subsequently co-opted as semiochemicals to communicate various types of information. This includes nestmate recognition in social insects 2,3 , enabling different colonies to partition resources by ousting conspecific competitors. In this study, we report the near complete loss of CHC production by workers of the ant Nylanderia fulva . This absence of CHCs is a double-edged sword. It represents a causative agent in the ecological success of this ant species — enabling the development of a large supercolony in its invasive range through limited ability to differentiate nestmates— but increases the risk of suffering ecological stress through desiccation.
Article activity feed
-
The authors found that the ant N. fulva expresses a lower abundance of cuticular hydrocarbon compounds compared to other ants, such as S. invicta. Half of the worker ants of N. fulva do not express the cuticular compound 2-tridecanone. The authors hypothesize that the lack of 2-tridecanone in half of the population enables the species to form supercolonies. In this model, lower levels of cuticular hydrocarbons lead to reduced discrimination of nestmates, enabling a higher ant density in the colony. The authors also hypothesize that there is a tradeoff to having lower cuticular hydrocarbons. The ants with lower hydrocarbons can achieve higher population densities but are more susceptible to desiccation. If this model is true, the N.fulva ants that do not express 2-tridecanone will die sooner from desiccation than the N.fulva ants that …
The authors found that the ant N. fulva expresses a lower abundance of cuticular hydrocarbon compounds compared to other ants, such as S. invicta. Half of the worker ants of N. fulva do not express the cuticular compound 2-tridecanone. The authors hypothesize that the lack of 2-tridecanone in half of the population enables the species to form supercolonies. In this model, lower levels of cuticular hydrocarbons lead to reduced discrimination of nestmates, enabling a higher ant density in the colony. The authors also hypothesize that there is a tradeoff to having lower cuticular hydrocarbons. The ants with lower hydrocarbons can achieve higher population densities but are more susceptible to desiccation. If this model is true, the N.fulva ants that do not express 2-tridecanone will die sooner from desiccation than the N.fulva ants that express the compound. Have the authors compared desiccation survival in the N.fulva ants that express 2-tridecanone, relative to ants of the same species that do not express the compound?
If the authors coat ants with 2-tridecanone, do the ants show higher survival in the desiccation assay?
Comment: Figure S2 contains useful information about the distribution of the amount of CHCs produced by worker ants. It is clear from the graph that there are many N.fulva ants that express low levels of CHC. This information is best shown in the main set of figures, as opposed to alongside accessory data in the supplement.
-
The authors found that the ant N. fulva expresses a lower abundance of cuticular hydrocarbon compounds compared to other ants, such as S. invicta. Half of the worker ants of N. fulva do not express the cuticular compound 2-tridecanone. The authors hypothesize that the lack of 2-tridecanone in half of the population enables the species to form supercolonies. In this model, lower levels of cuticular hydrocarbons lead to reduced discrimination of nestmates, enabling a higher ant density in the colony. The authors also hypothesize that there is a tradeoff to having lower cuticular hydrocarbons. The ants with lower hydrocarbons can achieve higher population densities but are more susceptible to desiccation. If this model is true, the N.fulva ants that do not express 2-tridecanone will die sooner from desiccation than the N.fulva ants that …
The authors found that the ant N. fulva expresses a lower abundance of cuticular hydrocarbon compounds compared to other ants, such as S. invicta. Half of the worker ants of N. fulva do not express the cuticular compound 2-tridecanone. The authors hypothesize that the lack of 2-tridecanone in half of the population enables the species to form supercolonies. In this model, lower levels of cuticular hydrocarbons lead to reduced discrimination of nestmates, enabling a higher ant density in the colony. The authors also hypothesize that there is a tradeoff to having lower cuticular hydrocarbons. The ants with lower hydrocarbons can achieve higher population densities but are more susceptible to desiccation. If this model is true, the N.fulva ants that do not express 2-tridecanone will die sooner from desiccation than the N.fulva ants that express the compound. Have the authors compared desiccation survival in the N.fulva ants that express 2-tridecanone, relative to ants of the same species that do not express the compound?
If the authors coat ants with 2-tridecanone, do the ants show higher survival in the desiccation assay?
Comment: Figure S2 contains useful information about the distribution of the amount of CHCs produced by worker ants. It is clear from the graph that there are many N.fulva ants that express low levels of CHC. This information is best shown in the main set of figures, as opposed to alongside accessory data in the supplement.
-
