Ants can treat infected wounds by using antimicrobial compounds produced in their metapleural glands, reducing mortality by 90%. The cuticular hydrocarbon profile of infected individuals changes, allowing nestmates to identify infected ants. The metapleural gland secretions contain 112 chemical compounds and 41 proteins, which have antimicrobial and wound healing properties.
Table of contents
Experimental designLaboratory coloniesSurvival of injured antsTreatment of wounds by nestmatesSample collection protocol for chemical, genetic, and microbial analysesPathogen identification & isolationMicrobiome analysis and bacterial load quantification16 S rRNA gene amplicon-sequencingAnalyses of 16 rRNA gene amplicon-sequencing dataChemical analysis of cuticular hydrocarbonsAntimicrobial assaySample collection for metapleural gland extractsChemical analysis of the metapleural glandProteomic analysis and sample preparation of the metapleural glandGenome sequencing and assemblyGenome annotationX-Ray Micro-CT imagingStatistical analysisEthics and inclusion statementReporting summarySort: