Abstract
The fungus-farming ants are a well-studied evolutionary radiation within the subfamily Myrmicinae that associate with a web of symbionts that span kingdoms. Members of the Apterostigma pilosum species group cultivate unique basidiomycete fungi belonging to the coral-mushroom family Pterulaceae, a family of fungi that is distantly related to the Agaricaceae (Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus) fungi grown by most fungus-farmers including other members in the genus Apterostigma (A. auriculatum group and A. megacephala). A chemical analysis using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy of the mandibular gland volatiles of two species – A. dentigerum and A. manni – revealed the presence of an extraordinary diversity of natural products. Many of these compounds are new to Arthropoda, such as a homologous series of 3-methyl-2-alkanones, 2-methyl-2-alkenals, and 1-phenyl-2-propanone in A. dentigerum and 1-phenyl-2-propanol in A. manni. These results identify a remarkable divergence of compounds across the fungus-growing ants and other members in Myrmicinae. Functions of these natural products are proposed and discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Biochemical Systematics and Ecology |
| Volume | 72 |
| Pages (from-to) | 56-62 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISSN | 0305-1978 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2017 |
Keywords
- 2-methyl-2-alkenals
- Antimicrobials
- Apterostigma dentigerum
- Apterostigma manni
- Attini
- Fungus-farming ants
- Mandibular gland