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Science

Title:		Chemical communication and 'propaganda' in slave-maker ants
Author(s):		Regnier FE; Wilson EO;
Address:
Journal Title:		Science
Year:		1971
Volume:		172
Issue:		3980
Page Number:		267 - 269
DOI:		10.1126/science.172.3980.267
ISSN/ISBN:		0036-8075 (Print) 0036-8075 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Slave-maker ants of the Formica sanguinea group direct their raids by means of odor trails. Artificial trails made from whole-body extracts and extracts of Dufour's glands and hindguts can be used to guide columns of workers to selected target colonies and to initiate raids. In workers of F. pergandei and F. subintegra, members of the F. sanguinea group, the Dufour's glands are hypertrophied and contain large quantities of three acetates (decyl, dodecyl, and tetradecyl), which are discharged at defending workers during the slave raids. The acetates produce very efficient, long-lasting alarm signals that attract the slave-makers but disperse the defenders; in effect, therefore, they are 'propaganda substances.'"
Keywords:		"Acetates/analysis/*pharmacology *Animal Communication Animals Ants/*physiology Chromatography, Gas Exocrine Glands/metabolism Pheromones/*physiology;"
Notes:		"MedlineRegnier, F E Wilson, E O eng 1971/04/16 Science. 1971 Apr 16; 172(3980):267-9. doi: 10.1126/science.172.3980.267"