DNA regulates foraging physiology and behavior in black ant (Paratrechina longicornis) and red ant (Solenopsis geminata): A novel molecular approach

Abstract

Ants prefer variety of food to carry out different physiologically controlled eusocial activities. However, the role of internal biological factors regulating the sensibility in physiological recognition is yet to be explored. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the possible role of genomic DNA in regulating food preference activity in black ant (BA) (Paratrechina longicornis) and red ant (RA) (Solenopsis geminata) over a period of time. At first the ant foraging activities were conducted and the observations were recorded over a twelve hour time period keeping the environmental factors like relative humidity and ambient temperature constant. The results indicate that both protein and carbohydrate rewards to lipids in both the ant types. Further, it was observed that the protein rich nutrients were preferred by RA whereas the BA selected carbohydrate rich food. The population size of RA, ascertained through this study, was almost four times greater than that of BA. To verify whether the food preference has any connection with the internal factor like genomic DNA content, both red and black ants’ genomic DNA were isolated and then quantified spectrophotometrically before evaluating through DNA gel electrophoretic assay. The data of both the studies further indicated that the net DNA content of RA was greater and more intact owing to clear band intensity as compared to the faint DNA band of BA which could possibly serve the pioneer step towards understanding the molecular basis of food selection physiology and behavior in different ants.