Blochmannia endosymbionts and their host, the ant Camponotus fellah: cuticular hydrocarbons and melanization

• Published in: Comptes rendus. Biologies Vol. 334; no. 10; p. 737
• Main Authors: José de Souza, Danival, Devers, Séverine, Lenoir, Alain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France 01-10-2011
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Ants - metabolism; Ants - physiology; Enterobacteriaceae - metabolism; Hydrocarbons - chemistry; Hydrocarbons - metabolism; Melanins - chemistry; Melanins - metabolism; Symbiosis - physiology
• ISSN: 1768-3238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2011.06.008

Carpenter ants (genus Camponotus) have mutualistic, endosymbiotic bacteria of the genus Blochmannia whose main contribution to their hosts is alimentary. It was also recently demonstrated that they play a role in improving immune function as well. In this study, we show that treatment with an antibiotic produces a physiological response inducing an increase in both the quantity of cuticular hydrocarbons and in the melanization of the cuticle probably due to a nutritive and immunological deficit. We suggest that this is because it enhances the protection the cuticle provides from desiccation and also from invasions by pathogens and parasites. Nevertheless, the cuticular hydrocarbon profile is not modified by the antibiotic treatment, which indicates that nestmate recognition is not modified.