An Hypothesis Concerning the Function of the Metapleural Glands in Ants

Brown, J.

doi:10.1086/282536

Cited by 86 publications

(54 citation statements)

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“…Schoeters and Billen (1993) proposed that the MPS are passively spread from the gland and then are distributed over the body by grooming behavior. Earlier Brown (1968) hypothesized that ants actively transfer metapleural compounds, based on his observations that some ant species draw the foreleg over the meatus of the metapleural gland, and spread the secretion over her body using grooming behavior. Brown postulated that ants have total control of where and when they supply MPG secretions, and our results support his hypothesis.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest-founding in Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Attini): demography and putative prophylactic behaviors

Fernández‐Marín

Zimmerman²,

Wcislo

2003

Insectes Sociaux

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Summary.Foundresses of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex octospinosus in central Panamá forage for leaves as garden substrate (semi-claustral foundation). The fungal pellet and substrate usually are attached to rootlets, which are used as a platform for the garden. This arrangement keeps the garden suspended away from the earthen chamber of the underground nest during early colony growth, and we hypothesize that it serves to minimize contact between the garden and contaminants. A. octospinosus foundresses produce from 3 to 7 workers in 2.7 months after founding the nest, but workers do not forage for substrate at this time. Incipient nests died or were abandoned at a monthly rate of ca. 50 %. We show that ants routinely clean their legs before manipulating the garden substrate. We also describe how foundresses use their forelegs to rub the surface of the metapleural gland (MPG), and they then use typical grooming behaviors to pass the forelegs through the mouthparts, after which the ant then licks the garden substrate. Similarly, ants apparently use their mouths to transfer fecal droplets to their legs. We briefly discuss the functional significance of these grooming behaviors, and hypothesize that they are prophylactic behaviors that may help the foundress maintain a hygienic garden.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest-founding in Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Attini): demography and putative prophylactic behaviors

Fernández‐Marín

Zimmerman²,

Wcislo

2003

Insectes Sociaux

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“…The metapleural gland (Brown, 1968) is a gland found exclusively in ants and it is believed to be involved in the secretion of antibiotic substances (Hö lldobler and Wilson, 1990). Internally the glandular cells are arranged in a pair of large clusters occupying the mesosomal cavity formed by the metathorax and propodeum.…”

Section: About Character Figuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Ant Morphology (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with Special Reference to the Poneromorph Subfamilies

Keller

2011

Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History

117

168

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“…Fmfani and Dazzinl (t991) examined the presence and structure of these glands in six species of Do[ichoderinae including Iridomynnex humilis; unfortunately their obser\ations were restricted tn worker:, ~ lowever, the metapleural glands are rati~er well knowl at tea_,~ in -vorkers to ff~oduL.~" powerful antibi(~tic substances (Maschwitz et al,~197C~. One hyp~hesis .~uggest..~ that these glands could pr(Huce a 'nest odor' by means of whicl~ mem~)~'r,~ ~)f the colony recognize ~ne another (Brown, 1968). This is also supported by the resu!~s reported on Solenop~,~ gcminata (Jail6 and Puche, 1984) suggesting that secrelk..n~ ,m)rn the metapleural gland could be involved in territorial marking.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Queen attractivity in the Argentine ant Iridomyrmex humilis (Mayr)

Cariou-Etienne

Aron

Passera

1992

Behavioural Processes

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Abslracl l-he origin of queen attractivily in the Argentine ant was estimated by presenting body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) of dead queens t(~ workers. Whatever the preparation, crushed or intact, the thorax was always significantly more altractiw ~ Ihan ~|her parts ~f the body. The legs seemed to be highly attractive to the workers, mainly through h~clile stimuli. The results are discussed with regards to the occurrence of thoracic gland:~.K~,y word.s: Aggregation fact()r; Argentine ant; Iridomyrmex' humilis; C).uoen altra(livily

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An Hypothesis Concerning the Function of the Metapleural Glands in Ants

Cited by 86 publications

References 0 publications

Nest-founding in Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Attini): demography and putative prophylactic behaviors

Nest-founding in Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Attini): demography and putative prophylactic behaviors

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Ant Morphology (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with Special Reference to the Poneromorph Subfamilies

Queen attractivity in the Argentine ant Iridomyrmex humilis (Mayr)

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