ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Formicidae
;
Aenictus
;
army ant
;
trail pheromone
;
methyl anthranilate
;
methyl nicotinate
;
primer pheromone
;
releaser pheromone
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Totally blind army ants carry out massive and highly organised foraging raids, apparently guided by chemical stimuli. Until now, this phenomenon has not been closely analysed. The existence of a trail pheromone in a postpygidial gland of anAenictus species has been demonstrated and the substances identified as methyl anthranilate and methyl nicotinate The pheromone consists of two parts: a primer effect, caused by methyl nicotinate, which prepares workers to follow trails, but is not itself followed, and a releaser effect, due to methyl anthranilate, which causes trail-following only in conjunction with the primer substance.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01919378
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