Reformation process of the neuronal template for nestmate-recognition cues in the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus

Sara Leonhardt; A S Brandstaetter; C J Kleineidam

doi:10.1007/s00359-007-0252-8

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Reformation process of the neuronal template for nestmate-recognition cues in the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Reformation process of the neuronal template for nestmate-recognition cues in the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus

Sara Leonhardt, A S Brandstaetter and C J Kleineidam

Journal of Comparative Physiology A, Vol.193(9), pp.993-1000

2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-007-0252-8

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Abstract

Zoology

postpharyngeal gland

cuticular hydrocarbons

chemical communication

Hymenoptera

aggressive behavior

Ants use cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC-profiles) as multicomponent recognition cues to identify colony members (nestmates). Recognition cues (label) are thought to be perceived during ant-ant encounters and compared to a neuronal template that represents the colony label. Over time, the CHC-profile may change, and the template is adjusted accordingly. A phenotype mismatch between label and template, as happens with CHC-profiles of foreign workers (non-nestmates), frequently leads to aggressive behavior. We investigated the template reformation in workers of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus by masking their antennae with postpharyngeal gland (PPG) extracts from nestmates or non-nestmates. The behavioral response of manipulated workers encountering unmanipulated workers was measured independently after 2 and after 15 h. After 2 h of incubation, workers treated with either of the two PPG-extracts showed low aggression towards nestmates and high aggression towards non-nestmates. In contrast, after 15 h of incubation, workers treated with non-nestmate PPG-extract showed low aggression towards both nestmates and non-nestmates. The slow (>2 h) adjustment of the template indicates a reformation localized in the central nervous system rather than in chemosensory neurons. In addition, our data show that template adjustment to a new CHC-profile does not impair the assessment of the old CHC-profile as nestmate label.

Details

Title: Reformation process of the neuronal template for nestmate-recognition cues in the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus
Authors: Sara Leonhardt (Author) - University of Würzburg, Germany
A S Brandstaetter (Author) - University of Würzburg, Germany
C J Kleineidam (Author) - University of Würzburg, Germany
Publication details: Journal of Comparative Physiology A, Vol.193(9), pp.993-1000
Publisher: Springer
Date published: 2007
DOI: 10.1007/s00359-007-0252-8
ISSN: 0340-7594
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449679102621
Output Type: Journal article

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