acquisition of chemical recognition cues facilitates integration into ant societies收购化学识别线索促进社会融入蚁.pdfVIP

Acquisition of chemical recognition cues facilitates integration into ant societies von Beeren et al. von Beeren et al. BMC Ecology 2011, 11:30 /1472-6785/11/30 (1 December 2011) von Beeren et al. BMC Ecology 2011, 11:30 /1472-6785/11/30 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Acquisition of chemical recognition cues facilitates integration into ant societies 1 2 3 1* Christoph von Beeren , Stefan Schulz , Rosli Hashim and Volker Witte Abstract Background: Social insects maintain the integrity of their societies by discriminating between colony members and foreigners through cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) signatures. Nevertheless, parasites frequently get access to social resources, for example through mimicry of host CHCs among other mechanisms. The origin of mimetic compounds, however, remains unknown in the majority of studies (biosynthesis vs. acquisition). Additionally, direct evidence is scarce that chemical mimicry is indeed beneficial to the parasites (e.g., by improving social acceptance). Results: In the present study we demonstrated that the kleptoparasitic silverfish Malayatelura ponerophila most likely acquires CHCs directly from its host ant Leptogenys distinguenda by evaluating the transfer of a stable-isotope label from the cuticle of workers to the silverfish. In a second experiment, we prevented CHC pilfering by separating silverfish from their host for six or nine days. Chemical host resemblance as well as aggressive rejection behaviour by host ants was then quantified for unmanipulated and previously separated individuals. Separated individuals showed reduced chemical host resemblan