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Student 10-Minute Presentation

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Student

Student Competition

Grad 10-min Competition: SysEB, Behavior 2

Acorn ants self-medicate using bacteria

Monday, November 11, 2024
10:30 AM – 10:42 AM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 222 B, PCC
Oral Presentation Student Competition
Social insects, like the acorn ant Temnothorax curvispinosus, have a collection of behaviors that they use in response to disease pressure. One behavior includes “self-medication”, where external and often harmful substances are utilized to improve survival outcomes after pathogen exposure. Previously observed in other ant species, hydrogen peroxide was used to improve survival after exposure to a fungal pathogen Beauveria bassiana. However, it is unknown whether acorn ants utilize a similar behavior or other compounds to improve survival outcomes. In this study we tested whether Bacillus altitudinous, a ROS-producing bacteria isolated from the acorn ant gut, shows similar improvement in ants survival post Beauveria bassiana entomopathogen exposure. Additional treatments tested were diets that included hydrogen peroxide, and a diet without bacteria or hydrogen peroxide. Both bacteria and hydrogen peroxide were introduced to ants as part of their regular diet. Ant survival was recorded over a two week period and individual choice behaviors were conducted to further investigate behaviors involved in social immunity.