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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Chemical tools to distinguish the fire ant species Solenopsis invicta. and S. saevissima (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Southeast Brazil

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Author(s):
Dall'Aglio-Holvorcem, Christiane Goncalves [1] ; Benson, Woodruff W. [1] ; Gilbert, Lawrence E. [2, 3] ; Trager, James C. [4] ; Trigo, Jose Roberto [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Anim, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Texas Austin, Dept Zool, Austin, TX 78712 - USA
[3] Univ Texas Austin, Brackenridge Field Lab, Austin, TX 78712 - USA
[4] Shaw Nat Reserve, Gray Summit, MO 63039 - USA
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology; v. 37, n. 4, p. 442-451, OCT 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 10
Abstract

Morphologically similar fire ants Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis saevissima are broadly sympatric in southeastern Brazil. Chemistry from venom (2,6-dialkyl piperidine alkaloids) and cuticular hydrocarbons have been reported as potentially important tools for differentiating Solenopsis species. We have analysed two chemical classes in widely separated populations of S. invicta and S. saevissima and find that both piperidine alkaloids and cuticular hydrocarbons separate the two species. Piperidine alkaloids clustered S. invicta but not S. saevissima. Cuticular hydrocarbons strongly clustered both S. invicta and S. saevissima. One population morphologically identified as S. invicta presented piperidine alkaloids and cuticular hydrocarbons markedly different from either species. The distinctive piperidine alkaloid differences among populations of S. saevissima and the marked difference in piperidine alkaloid and hydrocarbon profiles of the anomalous population of S. invicta suggest undescribed species fire ant in southeastern Brazil. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)