Variação da temperatura e da dieta na composição química cuticular, no reconhecimento intraespecífico e o estudo do comportamento de resgate em Odontomachus bauri

Abstract

One of the conditions that favored the evolution of the social insects is due to the diverse ways of recognizing companions and non-nestmate, and the function of each individual in the colony. One of the most common systems by social insects in this recognition is through chemical communication via hydrocarbons present in the cuticle of these insects. Thus, cuticular hydrocarbons (HC's) are the main compounds that form the cuticle, especially in ants, which may be specific to the species, the colony and between the breeds. HC‟s are essential in distinguishing nestmates, but their primary function is to avoid desiccation. In addition to the genetic factors, the environmental factors such as humidity, temperature and diet may influence the chemical composition of HC's. The cuticle of the ants tends to readjust as temperature variation occurs, avoiding desiccation. On the other hand, this readjustment may negatively influence the recognition of companions and non-nestmate, being able to generate estrangement and aggressive behaviors. Nevertheless, the type of food that is consumed by the ants also influences the composition of the HC's. This is due to the fact that the compounds in the diet are assimilated by those ants that consume it. Both quantity and nutritional quality are important in this composition. Due to these changes in HC's, intraspecific interactions in ants may be impaired. In fact, dietary alteration may interfere with recognition among ants, causing estrangement or fusion of distinct nests. Identifying your nestmate becomes essential to prevent the invasion of other animals in the nest and also maintain colony cohesion. Thus, this distinction may be important for altruistic behaviors among ants, such as the rescue of individuals in danger or injury. This behavior has been observed in ants in which the nestmate assimilates and encodes the request of help of its companion of nest executing some behavior in the rescue attempt. This behavior can be managed by some factors involving the captured ant, such as its age, function in the colony and/or its life expectancy after a combat. In the case of poneromorph ants, few studies have investigated the effect of temperature and diet on cuticle and intraspecific recognition, as well as the existence of rescue behavior. In this way, this work had as objective to evaluate these factors in the ant Odontomachus bauri.