An oxytocin/vasopressin-related neuropeptide modulates social foraging behavior in the clonal raider ant.

ABSTRACT: Oxytocin/vasopressin-related neuropeptides are highly conserved and play major roles in regulating social behavior across vertebrates. However, whether their insect orthologue, inotocin, regulates the behavior of social groups remains unknown. Here, we show that in the clonal raider ant Ooceraea biroi, individuals that perform tasks outside the nest have higher levels of inotocin in their brains than individuals of the same age that remain inside the nest. We also show that older ants, which spend more time outside the nest, have higher inotocin levels than younger ants. Inotocin thus correlates with the propensity to perform tasks outside the nest. Additionally, increasing inotocin pharmacologically increases the tendency of ants to leave the nest. However, this effect is contingent on ag

SUBMITTER: Fetter-Pruneda I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8244912 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature