Abstract
Aggressive interactions between members of a social group represent an important source of social stress with all its negative follow-ups. We used the ponerine ant Harpegnathos saltator to study the effects of frequent aggressive interactions on the resistance to different stressors. In these ants, removal or death of reproducing animals results in a period of social instability within the colony that is characterized by frequent ritualized aggressive interactions leading to the establishment of a new dominance structure. Animals are more susceptible to infections during this period, whereas their resistance against other stressors remained unchanged. This is associated with a shift from glutathione-S-transferase activities towards glutathione peroxidase activities, which increases the antioxidative capacity at the expense of their immune competence.
Highlights
Aggressive interactions between members of a social group represent an important source of social stress with all its negative follow-ups
After death of the queen or the sexual reproductive gamergates, the colonies undergo a period of social instability, which is characterized by aggressive interactions between nestmates leading to the establishment of a new social hierarchy, meaning that dominant workers develop into reproductive animals, called gamergates[11]
Workers of the ponerine ant Harpegnathos saltator that were actively engaged in aggressive interactions showed reduced survival rates after infection with the pathogenic bacterium Erwinia carotovora
Summary
Aggressive interactions between members of a social group represent an important source of social stress with all its negative follow-ups. We used the ponerine ant Harpegnathos saltator to study the effects of frequent aggressive interactions on the resistance to different stressors. This translation of behavioural stress into a modified immune response is mediated via the major hormone axes involving glucocorticoids and the sympathetic nervous system[7] This type of interaction between stress and the immune system is not restricted to higher vertebrates, as even insect immunity critically reacts to a number of potential stressors indicating that this relationship is phylogenetically very ancient[8]. Harpegnathos saltator, the period of queen replacement is characterized by three types of aggressive interaction: i) duelling is mutual antennation between potential successors, ii) domination of subordinates through www.nature.com/scientificreports/
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