Ectatomma tuberculatum

Hora, R.R, Ionescu-Hirsh, A., Simon, T Delabie, J., Robert, J., Fresneau, D. and Hefetz, A. (2008). Postmating changes in cuticular chemistry and visual appearance in Ectatomma tuberculatum queens (Formicidae Ectatomminae). Naturwissenshaften, 95, 55-60. 

Other possibilities for differences are simple -alkanes. Aphaenogaster cockerelli queens and reproductive workers produce -tricosane, -pentacosane, -heptacosane and n-nonacosane (Smith et al., 2008 Figure 13.2). These compounds do not occur in workers but represent about 33% of the profile of the reproductive queens. The quantitative difference between mated reproductive queens and virgin, non-reproductive queens of Ectatomma tuberculatum is represented by -heptacosane, which contributes up to 50% of the old queen profile versus 4% in virgin queens (Hora et al, 2008). This suggests that the structural simplicity of -alkanes does not prevent discrimination of these compounds (see also Chapter 10). 

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