Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Evolution of cuticular hydrocarbon diversity in ants

journal contribution
posted on 2011-06-01, 00:00 authored by E Van Wilgenburg, Matthew SymondsMatthew Symonds, M Elgar
The cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) of ants provide important cues for nestmate and caste recognition. There is enormous diversity in the composition of these CHCs, but the manner in which this diversity has evolved is poorly understood. We gathered data on CHC profiles for 56 ant species, relating this information to their phylogeny. We deduced the mode of evolution of CHC profiles by reconstructing character evolution and then relating the number of changes in CHC components along each branch of the phylogeny to the length of the branch. There was a strong correlation between branch length and number of component changes, with fewer changes occurring on short branches. Our analysis thereby indicated a gradual mode of evolution. Different ant species tend to use specific CHC structural types that are exclusive of other structural types, indicating that species differences may be generated in part by switching particular biosynthetic pathways on or off in different lineages. We found limited, and contradictory, evidence for abiotic factors (temperature and rainfall) driving change in CHC profiles.

History

Journal

Journal of evolutionary biology

Volume

24

Pagination

1188-1198

Location

Oxford, Eng.

ISSN

1010-061X

eISSN

1420-9101

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2011, Wiley-Blackwell

Issue

6

Publisher

Wiley - Blackwell Publishing