Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Dosmann A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4741111 | biostudies-literature | 2016
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
PeerJ 20160125
Social insects use odors as cues for a variety of behavioral responses, including nestmate recognition. Past research on nestmate recognition indicates cuticular hydrocarbons are important nestmate discriminators for social insects, but other factors are likely to contribute to colony-specific odors. Here we experimentally tested whether external microbes contribute to nestmate recognition in red harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex barbatus). We changed the external microbiome of ants through topical a ...[more]