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Hygienic behavior, liquid-foraging, and trophallaxis in the leaf-cutting ants, Acromyrmex subterraneus and Acromyrmex octospinosus - PubMed

Hygienic behavior, liquid-foraging, and trophallaxis in the leaf-cutting ants, Acromyrmex subterraneus and Acromyrmex octospinosus

Freddie-Jeanne Richard et al. J Insect Sci. 2009.

Abstract

Neotropical leaf-cutting ants (tribe Attini) live in obligate symbiosis with fungus they culture for food. To protect themselves and their fungus garden from pathogens, they minimize the entry of microorganisms through mechanical and chemical means. In this study, focusing on the species Acromyrmex subterraneus and A. octospinosus, (Hymeoptera: Formicidae). Self- and allo-grooming behavior were quantified and it was found that A. octospinosus workers spend less time in self-grooming than A. subterraneus. In the experimental absence of fungus in A. subterraneus, the times spent in these two behaviors are not affected; however workers spend significantly more time immobile. Hygienic and trophallaxis behaviors were examined as well as the possibility that workers exchange food, and the grooming behavior of foraging and non-foraging workers were compared. Behavioral observations revealed that large workers spent more time grooming than small workers, and more than 62% of replete foragers passed collected liquid food via trophallaxis to a nestmate. However, trophallaxis was rarely observed between non-forager workers. These results suggest that trophallaxis permits the exchange of alimentary liquid between colony members, but it is not important for spreading the colony odor signature.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.

Experimental set-up for the fungus-less worker observations.N : nest area with the fungus, workers and queen and E: foraging area of workers belonging to the nest N; N': nest area with only workers and E': the foraging area of workers belonging to the nest N'.

Figure 2.
Figure 2.

Relative proportion of each behavior (in %) of Acromyrmex subterraneus ants and A. octospinosus returning foragers in the nest. Returning foragers are separated in two groups, “replete” or “empty”. Data are presented as Mean ± SEM of behavior in percentage. Bars above columns represent groups being compared; astericks indicate level of significance, * = p<0.05; *** = p<0.01; *** = p<0.001.

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