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Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Student Competition 10-Minute Paper

Student MUVE and SysEB: Behavior, Genetics, and Biodiversity On-Demand Presentations

Guest-ant social parasites drive social host tolerance using venom signaling

On-Demand

Presenting Author(s)

Matthew R. Boot

Graduate student
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

Co-Author(s)

KS

Kyle S. Sozanski

Graduate student
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
MD

Mazie Davis

The Ohio State University
Dublin, Ohio
SN

Stefanie Neupert

University of Otago
Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
TJ

Tappey Jones

Professor
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia
IH

Ian Hamilton

The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Rachelle M. Adams

Assistant Professor
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

Communication is a fundamental component of symbiosis—if or how a symbiont engages in communication with their associates often directly corresponds with the nature of the relationship. Eusocial insect societies exhibit a unique type of symbiotic lifestyle—parasitism of one social unit (i.e., colony) by another—in which resources are obtained despite risking repeated social interactions. Megalomyrmex symmetochus guest-ant parasites are known to maintain long-term nest integration with their host colonies of Sericomyrmex amabilis, a stingless fungus-farming ant. During interactions, M. symmetochus is frequently observed to dispense alkaloid venom directly through stinging or indirectly by aerosolization of volatile pyrrolizidine alkaloids. We show that M. symmetochus primarily use their toxic venom indirectly to modulate host behavioral resistance. We interpret this indirect venom behavior as an honest threat signal which results in reduced lethal aggression between heterospecific nestmates. Further, this venom signaling strategy may favor the evolution of reduced interspecific antagonism by reducing fitness costs to both species.