Variations in the Cuticular Chemical Profile of the Ant Ectatomma brunneum Smith, F. 1858 (Formicidae: Ectatomminae) Across Different Biomes in Brazil

Authors

  • William Fernando Antonialli-Junior Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados-MS, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7977-9827
  • Michele Castro de Paula-Silva Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados-MS, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5229-6136
  • Erika Fernandes Neves Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados-MS, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6539-8433
  • Sidnei Eduardo Lima-Junior Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados-MS, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7906-9737
  • Luis Humberto da Cunha Andrade Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados-MS, Brazil
  • Sandro Márcio Lima Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados-MS, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3270-6628

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v72i3.10712

Keywords:

Chemical profile, biomes of Brazil, environmental factors, photoacoustic spectroscopy

Abstract

The insect cuticle is composed of chemical compounds that evolved to prevent desiccation and provide defense against pathogens. These compounds were subsequently co-opted for chemical communication and, in social insects, are crucial for nestmate recognition and caste discrimination. Several factors can influence the cuticular chemical composition, making it a good biogeographical study tool, since it varies among populations, according to genetic and environmental factors. The use of cuticular compounds in studies of the social Hymenoptera is important for understanding the influence of the environment on the distribution and occurrence of species. This study aimed to determine whether environmental factors might be decisive in determining the cuticular chemical profiles of colonies of the ant Ectatomma brunneum (Smith). Samples were collected in different biomes of Brazil, for analysis using Fourier transform infrared-photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS). Similarly to other phenotypic characteristics, the cuticular chemical profile varied significantly among populations, confirming its potential as a tool to assess biogeographical differences. Furthermore, environmental factors were important determinants of the cuticular composition of this species of ant.

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Published

2025-07-31

How to Cite

Antonialli-Junior, W. F., Paula-Silva, M. C. de, Neves, E. F., Lima-Junior, S. E., Andrade, L. H. da C., & Lima, S. M. (2025). Variations in the Cuticular Chemical Profile of the Ant Ectatomma brunneum Smith, F. 1858 (Formicidae: Ectatomminae) Across Different Biomes in Brazil. Sociobiology, 72(3), e10712. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v72i3.10712

Issue

Vol. 72 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Research Article - Ants

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Copyright (c) 2025 William Fernando Antonialli-Junior, Michele Castro de Paula-Silva, Erika Fernandes Neves, Sidnei Eduardo Lima-Junior, Luis Humberto da Cunha Andrade, Sandro Márcio Lima

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