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Title: Argentine ant extract induces an osm-9 dependent chemotaxis response in C. elegans
Many ant species are equipped with chemical defenses, although how these compounds impact nervous system function is unclear. Here, we examined the utility of Caenorhabditis elegans chemotaxis assays for investigating how ant chemical defense compounds are detected by heterospecific nervous systems. We found that C. elegans respond to extracts from the invasive Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile) and the osm-9 ion channel is required for this response. Divergent strains varied in their response to L. humile extracts, suggesting genetic variation underlying chemotactic responses. These experiments were conducted by an undergraduate laboratory course, highlighting how C. elegans chemotaxis assays in a classroom setting can provide genuine research experiences and reveal new insights into interspecies interactions.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2109400
PAR ID:
10505957
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more » ; ; ; ; ; « less
Publisher / Repository:
PubMed
Date Published:
Journal Name:
microPublication biology
ISSN:
2578-9430
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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