| Title |
Chemical Defense by the Native Winter Ant (Prenolepis imparis) against the Invasive Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)
|
|---|---|
| Published in |
PLOS ONE, April 2011
|
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0018717 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Authors |
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 |
| Abstract |
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. |
X Demographics
The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 2 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 1 | 50% |
| Unknown | 1 | 50% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the public | 1 | 50% |
| Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 50% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 76 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 | 4% |
| Switzerland | 2 | 3% |
| New Zealand | 2 | 3% |
| Brazil | 1 | 1% |
| United Kingdom | 1 | 1% |
| Portugal | 1 | 1% |
| Argentina | 1 | 1% |
| South Africa | 1 | 1% |
| Unknown | 64 | 84% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 17 | 22% |
| Researcher | 16 | 21% |
| Student > Master | 12 | 16% |
| Student > Bachelor | 7 | 9% |
| Student > Doctoral Student | 6 | 8% |
| Other | 9 | 12% |
| Unknown | 9 | 12% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 42 | 55% |
| Environmental Science | 7 | 9% |
| Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 4 | 5% |
| Nursing and Health Professions | 1 | 1% |
| Computer Science | 1 | 1% |
| Other | 6 | 8% |
| Unknown | 15 | 20% |