Colobopsis explodens

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Colobopsis explodens
Colobopsis explodens (10.3897-zookeys.751.22661) Figure 2.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Genus: Colobopsis
Species:
C. explodens
Binomial name
Colobopsis explodens
Laciny & Zettel 2018 [1]

Colobopsis explodens is a species of ant which is found in Southeast Asia. Like some other species in its genus, it is noted for a rare combat mechanism of workers exploding in self-defense, smothering the enemy with a toxic and often deadly secretion. [1] This suicidal defensive adaptation also occurs among some species of termites: it is termed autothysis, and as ants and termites are members of different insect orders, it is an example of convergent evolution.

Contents

Common name

Scheme of a worker ant's anatomy Scheme ant worker anatomy-en.svg
Scheme of a worker ant's anatomy
Colobopsis explodens pupa Colobopsis explodens pupa.jpg
Colobopsis explodens pupa

In the past, it was informally known as "yellow goo," named after the brightly colored "goo" produced by its exploding worker ants. [2]

Range

They are found in countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Borneo.

Colonies and habitat

Their colonies can contain thousands of individual ants and inhabit the leafy canopies of trees. They often nest in trees of family Dipterocarpaceae. A colony may consist of multiple nests in several trees, connected by ant-trails. [1] Their nests may be as high as 60 m above the ground. One colony was estimated to cover an area of at least 2,500 m. [1]

Defenses

This species is known for its unusual way of self-defense. The earliest recording was in 1916, but it was detailed fully in 1974. When threatened, it will voluntarily flex its gaster and explode, producing a highly toxic chemical sludge (with a spice-like smell) in an attempt to kill or repel said instigator. In addition to helping protect the ant against potentially threatening predators, it is thought due to its "strong antimicrobial and low insecticidal activity of the mandibular gland" to be a way the ants disinfect and protect their nest against harmful bacteria and fungi.

Diet

Minor workers of this species will graze on epiphytes, presumably for food or at least liquid. They have also been found to consume yeast suspended in water, dead insects and fish offered to them. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Laciny, A.; Zettel, H.; Kopchinskiy, A.; Pretzer, C.; Pal, A.; Salim, K.A.; Rahimi, M.J; Hoenigsberger, M.; Lim, L.; Jaitrong, W.; Druzhinina, IS (2018). "Colobopsis explodens sp. n., model species for studies on "exploding ants" (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with biological notes and first illustrations of males of the Colobopsis cylindrica group". ZooKeys (751): 1–40. Bibcode:2018ZooK..751....1L. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.751.22661 . PMC   5919914 . PMID   29706783.
  2. ↑ Weisberger, Mindy; April 19, Senior Writer |; ET, 2018 02:07pm (19 April 2018). "Exploding Ants Kill Foes, and Themselves, with a Blast of Toxic Goo". Live Science. Retrieved 2019-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)


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