1439-0310/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=c80668403f338e8f03ce0e86f50e3c9319ac23a8 "Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie")
Department of Biology, The University of Papua New Guinea, Box 4820, University Post Office, Papua (New Guinea).
1439-0310/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=cdb42dfc53603abec6caf8ed13964d7ebc4c6da7)
1439-0310/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=19102f800da21085988145128044680fc78d3d5a)
The Multifunctional Role of the Mandibular Gland Secretion of an Australian Desert Ant, Calomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)†
Article first published online: 26 APR 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1978.tb01450.x
1978 Blackwell Verlag GmbH
Additional Information
How to Cite
Brough, E. J. (1978), The Multifunctional Role of the Mandibular Gland Secretion of an Australian Desert Ant, Calomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie, 46: 279–297. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1978.tb01450.x
- ‡
Department of Biology, The University of Papua New Guinea, Box 4820, University Post Office, Papua (New Guinea).
- †
The subject species is referred to by its generic name alone because of the difficulties in the nomenclature of the genus as discussed by BROUGH (1976). Voucher specimens have been lodged with the Australian National Insect Collection as Calomyrmex sp. No. 1 ANIC (? spendidus).
Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 APR 2010
- Article first published online: 26 APR 2010
- July 14, 1977; July 19, 1977
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
The 
of a desert species of Calomyrmex possess large mandibular glands which contain a brightly coloured secretion.
This study investigates the role of the gland as part of the alarm/defence system of the species. The alarm promoting properties of the secretion are demonstrated. The defensive role of the secretion is studied from three aspects; the possible toxicity towards other insects; the repellent and/or repugnant properties towards another ant species; the responses of insectivorous vertebrates to Calomyrmex
and to other food items, some of which are treated by application of the secretion prior to presentation. The significance of the colour of the secretion is also discussed.