Selektiver Verbrauch von gesättigten Fettsäuren während der Metamorphose von Weibchen und Arbeiterinnen der Ameise Formica polyctena Foerst. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

The changes in the contents of saturated fatty acids during metamorphosis of female ants and worker ants of the species F. polyctena have been studied paper chromatographically. Myristic, palmitic, stearic, and arachic acids are present, palmitic acid being found in the highest concentration. Myristic and arachic acid comprise less than 5% of the saturated fatty aids in almost all metamorphic stages. Behenic acid has been found in females shortly before the hatching of the adult. The contents of all saturated fatty acids decline during metamorphosis until emergence of the adult. Palmitic acid shows the greatest relative decrease, whereas stearic acid shows a relative increase. In the female prepupal stage the content of saturated fatty acids is relatively lower than in the corresponding worker one. Before emergence of the adult the proportions are reverse. During the metamorphosis therefore the workers consume relatively more saturated fatty acids than the females. The proportions of the saturated fatty acids are similar in the prepupae of the females and workers. During the metamorphosis the content of palmitic acid falls down stronger in females than in workers. The highest decrease is combined with a marked fat reduction. The found differences between the two casts are discussed together with earlier results of their different fat metabolism.