Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile).
The invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is established worldwide and displaces native ant species. In northern California, however, the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) persists in invaded areas. We found that in aggressive interactions between the two species, P. imparis employs a pot...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2011-04-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3079705?pdf=render |
| _version_ | 1818338371417669632 |
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| author | Trevor R Sorrells Leah Y Kuritzky Peter G Kauhanen Katherine Fitzgerald Shelby J Sturgis Jimmy Chen Cheri A Dijamco Kimberly N Basurto Deborah M Gordon |
| author_facet | Trevor R Sorrells Leah Y Kuritzky Peter G Kauhanen Katherine Fitzgerald Shelby J Sturgis Jimmy Chen Cheri A Dijamco Kimberly N Basurto Deborah M Gordon |
| author_sort | Trevor R Sorrells |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is established worldwide and displaces native ant species. In northern California, however, the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) persists in invaded areas. We found that in aggressive interactions between the two species, P. imparis employs a potent defensive secretion. Field observations were conducted at P. imparis nest sites both in the presence and absence of L. humile. These observations suggested and laboratory assays confirmed that P. imparis workers are more likely to secrete when outnumbered by L. humile. Workers of P. imparis were also more likely to secrete near their nest entrances than when foraging on trees. One-on-one laboratory trials showed that the P. imparis secretion is highly lethal to L. humile, causing 79% mortality. The nonpolar fraction of the secretion was chemically analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and found to be composed of long-chain and cyclic hydrocarbons. Chemical analysis of dissected P. imparis workers showed that the nonpolar fraction is derived from the Dufour's gland. Based on these conclusions, we hypothesize that this chemical defense may help P. imparis to resist displacement by L. humile. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T15:10:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-48eeadb526fc4dc2b0942fbfacd01634 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T15:10:03Z |
| publishDate | 2011-04-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
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| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-48eeadb526fc4dc2b0942fbfacd016342022-12-21T23:40:54ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032011-04-0164e1871710.1371/journal.pone.0018717Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile).Trevor R SorrellsLeah Y KuritzkyPeter G KauhanenKatherine FitzgeraldShelby J SturgisJimmy ChenCheri A DijamcoKimberly N BasurtoDeborah M GordonThe invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is established worldwide and displaces native ant species. In northern California, however, the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) persists in invaded areas. We found that in aggressive interactions between the two species, P. imparis employs a potent defensive secretion. Field observations were conducted at P. imparis nest sites both in the presence and absence of L. humile. These observations suggested and laboratory assays confirmed that P. imparis workers are more likely to secrete when outnumbered by L. humile. Workers of P. imparis were also more likely to secrete near their nest entrances than when foraging on trees. One-on-one laboratory trials showed that the P. imparis secretion is highly lethal to L. humile, causing 79% mortality. The nonpolar fraction of the secretion was chemically analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and found to be composed of long-chain and cyclic hydrocarbons. Chemical analysis of dissected P. imparis workers showed that the nonpolar fraction is derived from the Dufour's gland. Based on these conclusions, we hypothesize that this chemical defense may help P. imparis to resist displacement by L. humile.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3079705?pdf=render |
| spellingShingle | Trevor R Sorrells Leah Y Kuritzky Peter G Kauhanen Katherine Fitzgerald Shelby J Sturgis Jimmy Chen Cheri A Dijamco Kimberly N Basurto Deborah M Gordon Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). PLoS ONE |
| title | Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). |
| title_full | Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). |
| title_fullStr | Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). |
| title_short | Chemical defense by the native winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). |
| title_sort | chemical defense by the native winter ant prenolepis imparis against the invasive argentine ant linepithema humile |
| url | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3079705?pdf=render |
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