GC–MS, behavioral, and acoustic datasets for necrophoric signaling in ants

Description

This dataset contains files associated with the manuscript entitled “High-sensitivity death cues are stabilized by cross-modal error correction in ants”. It supports the study of chemical and acoustic regulation of necrophoric behavior in ants. The dataset includes raw GC–MS chromatogram data, behavioral video recordings, and acoustic recordings used to investigate a venom-derived death cue and its modulation by stridulatory signaling. All data are provided in raw, unprocessed form. The dataset is organized into three main components. The raw chromatogram data files include GC–MS data from two fire ant species, Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis geminata, comprising extracts from live workers, venom glands, freshly dead worker corpses, and worker corpses at 1 h postmortem. These data were used to identify venom-derived alkaloids that accumulate on the cuticle after death and function as necrophoric signals. The acoustic recording files contain stridulatory signals from five Myrmicinae ant species (Solenopsis invicta, Solenopsis geminata, Pheidole noda, Messor barbarus, and Tetramorium smithi) used in sound playback and behavioral assays. These recordings correspond to vitality-associated signals that were used to test cross-modal error-correction mechanisms in corpse recognition. The video files (Videos S1–S9) correspond to the supplementary materials referenced in the manuscript and document necrophoric behavior, corpse recognition, chemical manipulation experiments, and acoustic playback assays. Each video directly matches its description in the Supplementary Information.

Steps to reproduce

(1)Chemical identification of necrophoric cues Collect individuals from Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis geminata, including live workers, freshly dead workers, and workers at defined postmortem intervals, as well as dissected venom glands. Extract cuticular and glandular compounds using n-hexane and analyze samples by GC-MS under consistent instrumental conditions. Compare chromatographic profiles across sample types to identify compounds that are enriched in venom glands and increase on the cuticle after death, thereby revealing candidate venom-derived alkaloids associated with necrophoric signaling. (2)Behavioral assays of chemically mediated responses Maintain laboratory colonies under controlled conditions and introduce experimentally treated stimuli into the arena, including untreated corpses, chemically coated corpses, paper dummies and pupae. Record and quantify behavioral responses such as corpse removal to refuse piles, retrieval into the nest, grooming interactions, and dragging behavior. Compare response latency and behavioral frequencies across treatments to determine the effect of venom-derived compounds on necrophoric behavior. (3)Acoustic signaling and playback experiments Record stridulatory signals from live workers of the tested Myrmicinae species and process recordings to obtain representative vitality-associated signals. Perform playback experiments by presenting these signals, or silent controls, to colonies in the presence of corpses or chemically treated individuals. Assess whether acoustic signals modulate behavioral decisions, particularly by delaying or suppressing necrophoric responses. Additionally, compare responses between individuals capable of stridulation and those with experimentally silenced stridulatory organs to evaluate the role of acoustic signaling in cross-modal error correction. (4)Video documentation and validation Record all behavioral assays using video under standardized conditions. Annotate recordings according to experimental treatments and match them to the corresponding supplementary videos (Videos S1-S26). Use these recordings to verify qualitative behavioral patterns and support quantitative analyses described in the study.

Institutions

• Lanzhou University

  Gansu, Lanzhou
• Guangdong Academy of Forestry

  Guangdong, Guangzhou
• Universidade Estadual de Goiás

  Goiás, Anápolis
• Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

  Thuringia, Jena

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