Olfactory sensitivity differentiates morphologically distinct worker castes in Camponotus floridanus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Camponotus floridanus ant colonies are comprised of a single reproductive queen and thousands of sterile female offspring that consist of two morphologically distinct castes: smaller minors and larger majors. Minors perform most of the tasks within the colony, including brood care and food collection, whereas majors have fewer clear roles and have been hypothesized to act as a specialized solider caste associated with colony defense. The allocation of workers to these different tasks depends, in part, on the detection and processing of local information including pheromones and other chemical blends such as cuticular hydrocarbons. However, the role peripheral olfactory sensitivity plays in establishing and maintaining morphologically distinct worker castes and their asso

SUBMITTER: Ferguson ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9827628 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature