Project description:We used whole-genome fire ant microarrays to examine the molecular basis for division of labor in fire ant workers by comparing foraging and non-foraging workers from monogyne colonies. Fire ant colonies were collected in the field and transported into the lab were they were reared in standard conditions. We created a nesting chamber containing the queen, the brood and workers performing nursing tasks and a foraging area, separated from the nesting chamber and provided with food and water sources. Foraging workers were collected in the foraging area while non-foraging workers were collected in the nesting chamber. Total RNA was isolated from pools of whole workers and processed for microarrays.
Project description:First insight into microbiome profiles of myrmecophilous beetles and their host, red wood ant Formica polyctena (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Project description:In the present study, the venom peptidome of the red ant, Manica rubida, was characterized using an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach. In addition, insecticidal assays on C18 reversed-phase HPLC venom fractions were conducted on Lucilia caesar blowflies to identify neurotoxic peptides.
Project description:We used whole-genome fire ant microarrays to examine the molecular basis for social organization in Solenopsis invicta. Monogyne (single queen) fire ant colonies were collected in the field and transported into the lab were they were reared in standard conditions for two weeks. At this point, each colony was split into two sub-colonies: one sub-colony contained the functional mother queen (queenright) while the other was left queenless. Each sub-colony included a nesting chamber, containing the brood and workers performing nursing tasks, and a foraging area, separated from the nesting chamber and provided with food and water sources. For both queenright and queenless sub-colonies, foraging workers were collected in the foraging area while non-foraging workers were collected in the nesting chamber. Total RNA was isolated from pools of 10 whole workers and processed for microarrays.
