The scent of symbiosis : gut bacteria may affect social interactions in leaf-cutting ants

• Main Authors: Teseo, Serafino, van Zweden, Jelle S., Pontieri, Luigi, Kooij, Pepijn W., Sørensen, Søren J., Wenseleers, Tom, Poulsen, Michael, Boomsma, Jacobus J., Sapountzis, Panagiotis
• Other Authors: School of Biological Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Science::Biological sciences; Acromyrmex Echinatior; Cuticular Hydrocarbons
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/144702
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Animal gut microbiota affect host physiology and behaviour. In social insects, where colony level integrity is preserved via a nestmate discrimination system based on cuticular hydrocarbon mixtures, microorganismal effects may therefore influence social dynamics. Although nestmate recognition has un...