Study of Study of MyrmecologyMyrmecology

By Jiajun WuBy Jiajun WuProf. Athula AttygaleProf. Athula AttygaleStevens Institute of TechnologyStevens Institute of Technology

AbstractAbstract The goal of the research is to analyze thThe goal of the research is to analyze th

e chemical compounds within the gaster e chemical compounds within the gaster of ant and study how these compounds hof ant and study how these compounds help them communicate one another. Maselp them communicate one another. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique s spectrometry is an analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It is used to find the composition of ions. It is used to find the composition of a sample by generating a mass spectruof a sample by generating a mass spectrum. Consequently, the results show the mm. Consequently, the results show the major compound, pentadecane, is located iajor compound, pentadecane, is located in the gasters.n the gasters.

IntroductionIntroduction

Myrmecology:Myrmecology: • Is the scientific Is the scientific

study of ants study of ants including their including their habits, behaviors habits, behaviors and society.and society.

IntroductionIntroductionAnt Facts:Ant Facts:• Estimated 1,000 trillion ants living Estimated 1,000 trillion ants living

on the planeton the planet• 11,800 known species11,800 known species• Scientists observe the behavior of Scientists observe the behavior of

ants relates to that of humanants relates to that of human

IntroductionIntroduction• Ants are insect.Ants are insect.• Six legsSix legs• Three body parts: Three body parts: - Head - Head - Thorax- Thorax - Gaster- Gaster

IntroductionIntroductionChemical Chemical

Sensors/CommunicSensors/Communication:ation:

• Ants have more than Ants have more than 20 different 20 different chemicals they can chemicals they can use for sending use for sending information to one information to one another.another.

MaterialsMaterials• SyringeSyringe• ForcepsForceps• ScalpelScalpel• Paper ClipPaper Clip• Glass SlideGlass Slide• Mass Selective Mass Selective

Detector (analyze Detector (analyze chemical chemical compounds)compounds)

• 25 Samples of Ant25 Samples of Ant• Hexane Hexane • Hydrocarbon Hydrocarbon

MixtureMixture• AcetoneAcetone

Paper clip, scalpel, forceps, syringe, hexane, and acetone

What is mass What is mass spectrometer?spectrometer?

• Mass spectrometer is Mass spectrometer is a piece of equipment a piece of equipment for measuring the for measuring the wavelengths of wavelengths of spectra (ray of light).spectra (ray of light).

• It consists of 3 basic It consists of 3 basic parts: parts:

- an ion source- an ion source - a mass analyzer- a mass analyzer - a detector system- a detector system

How does the machine How does the machine work?work?

1.1. Producing ions from the sampleProducing ions from the sample

2.2. Separating ions of differing massesSeparating ions of differing masses

3.3. Detecting the number of ions of each mass producedDetecting the number of ions of each mass produced

4.4. Collating the data and generating the mass Collating the data and generating the mass spectrumspectrum

Cont’dCont’dApplication of the TechniqueApplication of the Technique::• Identifying unknown compounds by Identifying unknown compounds by

the mass of the compound molecules the mass of the compound molecules or their fragmentsor their fragments

• Determining the composition of Determining the composition of elements in a compoundelements in a compound

• Determining the structure of a Determining the structure of a compound by observing its compound by observing its fragmentationfragmentation

MethodsMethods• Collect ants Collect ants • Freeze antsFreeze ants• Observe them under microscopeObserve them under microscope• Cut off gasters by using scalpel and forcepsCut off gasters by using scalpel and forceps• Crush the gasters by using paper clipCrush the gasters by using paper clip• Add hexane Add hexane • Inject 1 micrometer hydrocarbons mixture into the Inject 1 micrometer hydrocarbons mixture into the

Mass Selective Detector (test if the equipment workMass Selective Detector (test if the equipment works well)s well)

• Clean the syringe by adding acetoneClean the syringe by adding acetone• Inject 1 micrometer mixture (gasters and hexane) inInject 1 micrometer mixture (gasters and hexane) in

to the Mass Selective Detectorto the Mass Selective Detector

Species Species InformationInformation

• Name: Tetramorium (one tyName: Tetramorium (one type of subfamily Myrmicine)pe of subfamily Myrmicine)

• Characteristics: Characteristics: - total length around 3mm- total length around 3mm - color: yellow to yellowish d- color: yellow to yellowish d

arkark - 2 hums- 2 hums - stinger- stinger - spines are long and acute, c- spines are long and acute, c

urved upwardurved upward - body surface covered with i- body surface covered with i

rregular reticulate patternrregular reticulate pattern• Habitat: on the grass, parkHabitat: on the grass, park• Date: 7/2/07Date: 7/2/07• Method: preserve them in thMethod: preserve them in th

e bottle with sugar and tissuee bottle with sugar and tissue

ResultsResultsHydrocarbons Mi xtures I n Hexane

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1000000

Abundance 3E+400 5E+600 5E+6E+ 7E+8E+ 4E+7E+ 5E+

Ti me (mi n) 8. 5 11 12 14 16 17 19 20 21 22 23

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

ResultsResultsChemi cal Compounds I n The Gasters

0

500000

1000000

1500000

2000000

2500000

Abundance 3E+2E+8E+2E+5E+5E+3E+3E+8E+1E+7E+3E+2E+

Ti me (mi n) 18 19 24 27 27 28 29 31 32 32 33 34 35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

C15H3

2

ResultsResultsPentadecane

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

m/ z

Abun

danc

e

Abundance 3E+3E+2E+900200100500300300250150100100

m/ z 43 57 71 85 99 113127141155169183197212

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

C15H32 : CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3

(C-12 H-1) 15 29 43 57 71 85 99 113 127 141 155 169 183 197 212

+14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +15

ConclusionConclusion• The major chemical compound in gastThe major chemical compound in gast

ers of ants is Cers of ants is C1515HH3232, pentadecane., pentadecane.

Future ResearchFuture Research• Further study how the compounds Further study how the compounds

help the ants communicate each help the ants communicate each other.other.

• Collect different species to compare Collect different species to compare their complex compounds within their complex compounds within them.them.

ResourceResource• http://http://www.antweb.org/description.do?rankwww.antweb.org/description.do?rank

==subfamily&namesubfamily&name==myrmicinae&projectmyrmicinae&project==calantscalants

• http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/E/Taxo/F4090http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/E/Taxo/F40901.html1.html

• http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/myrhttp://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/myrmicinae/myrmicinae.htmmicinae/myrmicinae.htm

• http://www.answers.com/topic/myrmecologhttp://www.answers.com/topic/myrmecologyy

• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.phttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5579510hp?storyId=5579510

AcknowledgmentAcknowledgment• Harlem Children SocietyHarlem Children Society• Dr. SatDr. Sat• All Staff of HCSAll Staff of HCS• Prof. AttygaleProf. Attygale• Pilar RosinganaPilar Rosingana• Zhihua YangZhihua Yang• Lisa HongLisa Hong• Stevens Institute of TechnologyStevens Institute of Technology