Comparative study of the cuticular hydrocarbon in queens, workers and males of Ectatomma vizottoi (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) by Fourier transform-infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy
Genet. mol. res. (Online)
; 6(3): 492-499, 2007. ilus, tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-498923
Responsible library:
BR26.1
ABSTRACT
Fourier transform-infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy was applied for the first time, to our knowledge, to distinguish different castes of an ant species. The method was applied directly to the abdomen of queens, workers and males of Ectatomma vizottoi ants, without any special sample preparation. The absorption bands of secondary amide and hydrocarbons were identified; using these as variables in a canonical discriminant analysis we found significant differences between the castes. Queens have a greater hydrocarbon content than do workers and males, which is related to their function in the colony. This technique can be used to analyze and distinguish small chemical differences in biological systems, even in opaque samples.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Ants
/
Pheromones
/
Behavior, Animal
/
Hydrocarbons
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Genet. mol. res. (Online)
Journal subject:
Molecular Biology
/
Genetics
Year:
2007
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul/BR