Origanum vulgare terpenoids modulate Myrmica scabrinodis brain biogenic amines and ant behaviour.

ABSTRACT: Coordinated social behaviour is fundamental for ant ecological success. However, even distantly-related organisms, such as plants, have evolved the ability to manipulate ant collective performances to their own advantage. In the parasitic system encompassing Maculinea butterflies, Myrmica ants, and Origanum vulgare plants, the ant-plant interaction elicits the release of a volatile terpenoid compound (carvacrol) which is used by the gravid butterfly to locate the ideal oviposition site. Here we show that this ant-plant association is maintained by the effect of O. vulgare terpenoids on ant behaviour and that food plants might gain protection by Myrmica ants by chemically manipulating workers to forage in their surroundings. The variation in the locomotor ability of three ant species (Formi

SUBMITTER: Mannino G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6306168 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature