On the Venom Solenopins alkaloids of Fire Ants: Beware a Lonely Queen
Description
The present dataset includes background information and files relative to the submitted paper " Venom Isosolenopsin A Delivers Rapid Knockdown of Fire Ant Competitors " currently under review in Toxicon. Currently it serves as a repository to files reviewers may wish to see. After publication it shall host all relevant files pertaining the final published version of the manuscript. It includes: - Original GC-MS chromatogram files obtained for natural venoms, calibration standards, synthetic alkaloids. - R script behind the plotted figures and data analyses; R data. - Supplementary videos and isolated images showing venom- and alkaloids- intoxicated ants.
Files
Steps to reproduce
- Venom of fire ants can be extracted an masse as described in Fox et al. (2013). In short living ants are separated from soil by flotation and immersed alive in a mixture of solvents. -Cis- and Trans- alkaloid fractions are obtainable from this extract as described in Shi et al. (2014). In short, the alkaloid-rich extract is washed through a silica column with increasing hexane:acetone ratios. -Living fire ants can be triggered to release a 20-30nl droplet of venom by gently touching the dorsal gasteral surface above their stingers. - Other ants to be tested can be obtained from the field by excavations. Ants can be temporarily anesthetized with either CO2 , cold temperature, or ethers. - Anesthetized ants can be briefly manipulated with fine tweezers to be touched with a 20-30 nl droplet of venom. - Ants can be likewise manipulated to be touched with a fine capillary presenting a 20-30nl droplet of alkaloid extract. - Time elapsed for complete knockout can be measured with a timer from the moment of contact. - Mortality rates after contact are measured by counting the number of dead ants within intervals over a period of 12h. - Data was analysed and plotted with R software.