Dufour gland contents of three species ofMyrmecia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), primitive ants of australia

Abstract

Chemical investigation of the Dufour gland contents of three species ofMyrmecia by GC and GC-MS showed thatM. gulosa andM. nigriceps contain predominantly linear hydrocarbons, whereasM. pilosula contains acetates, aldehydes, and propionates. The major components ofM. gulosa andM. nigriceps are (Z)-8-heptadecene, pentadecane, and heptadecane. Their chemical profiles are similar to each other and to that ofNothomyrmecia macrops, the most primitive living ant, placed by itself in a separate subfamily. The major components ofM. pilosula are hexadecyl acetate, (Z)-9-octadecenyl acetate, (Z)-11-eicosenyl acetate, and (Z)-11-eicosenal. Some geographical variation was observed in the relative proportions of the components. The chemotaxonomic significance for the primitive Australian ant subfamilies Myrmeciinae and Nothomyrmeciinae is considered. The possibility is discussed that 11-eicosenal or geranylcitronellol, minor components of the Dufour gland secretion ofM. gulosa, may be responsible for the aggressive behavior released by the natural stinging secretions.