Abstract

The chemistry of the exocrine glands of three species of the small and little-known ant subfamily Cerapachyinae has been examined for the first time. The mandibular glands of Cerapachys jacobsoni contained acetophenone and skatole, but some individuals contained, in addition, 4-methyl-3-heptanone and 3-octanol. The mandibular glands of the new species, presently known as Cerapachys sp. 15 of FI contained 4-methyl-3-heptanone, as the major substance but also 4-methyl-3-heptanol, methyl 6-ethylsalicylate, and traces of 4,5-dimethyl-4-hexen-3-one and homomanicone. The Dufour glands of C. jacobsoni contained a mixture of higher aldehydes, acetates and other esters, with a small amount of hydrocarbons, all in the range C11-C20. The Dufour glands of Cylindromyrmex whymperi contained a mixture of long-chain epoxides, the second ant species to display them. The sternal glands of C. whymperi contain a recruitment pheromone, but only partial identification of the contents was possible. The venom glands of all three species were devoid of volatile material. The Dufour glands of Cerapachys sp. 15 of FI and the mandibular glands of C. whymperi had no detectable volatile contents. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.