Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5154918 | Biochemical Systematics and Ecology | 2017 | 7 Pages |
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.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Authors
Conor T. Hogan, Tappey H. Jones, Mariya Zhukova, Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo, Rachelle M.M. Adams,