1. Study of Myrmecology By Jiajun Wu Prof. Athula Attygale Stevens Institute of Technology

2. Abstract The goal of the research is to analyze the chemical compounds within the gaster of ant and study how these compounds help them communicate one another. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It is used to find the composition of a sample by generating a mass spectrum. Consequently, the results show the major compound, pentadecane, is located in the gasters. The goal of the research is to analyze the chemical compounds within the gaster of ant and study how these compounds help them communicate one another. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It is used to find the composition of a sample by generating a mass spectrum. Consequently, the results show the major compound, pentadecane, is located in the gasters.

3. Introduction Myrmecology: Is the scientific study of ants including their habits, behaviors and society. Is the scientific study of ants including their habits, behaviors and society.

4. Introduction Ant Facts: Estimated 1,000 trillion ants living on the planet Estimated 1,000 trillion ants living on the planet 11,800 known species 11,800 known species Scientists observe the behavior of ants relates to that of human Scientists observe the behavior of ants relates to that of human

5. Introduction Ants are insect. Ants are insect. Six legs Six legs Three body parts: Three body parts: - Head - Head - Thorax - Thorax - Gaster - Gaster

6. Introduction Chemical Sensors/Communication: Ants have more than 20 different chemicals they can use for sending information to one another. Ants have more than 20 different chemicals they can use for sending information to one another.

7. Materials Syringe Syringe Forceps Forceps Scalpel Scalpel Paper Clip Paper Clip Glass Slide Glass Slide Mass Selective Detector (analyze chemical compounds) Mass Selective Detector (analyze chemical compounds) 25 Samples of Ant Hexane Hydrocarbon Mixture Acetone

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

9. What is mass spectrometer? Mass spectrometer is a piece of equipment for measuring the wavelengths of spectra (ray of light). Mass spectrometer is a piece of equipment for measuring the wavelengths of spectra (ray of light). It consists of 3 basic parts: It consists of 3 basic parts: - an ion source - an ion source - a mass analyzer - a mass analyzer - a detector system - a detector system

10. How does the machine work? 1. Producing ions from the sample 2. Separating ions of differing masses 3. Detecting the number of ions of each mass produced 4. Collating the data and generating the mass spectrum

11. Cont’d Application of the Technique: Identifying unknown compounds by the mass of the compound molecules or their fragments Identifying unknown compounds by the mass of the compound molecules or their fragments Determining the composition of elements in a compound Determining the composition of elements in a compound Determining the structure of a compound by observing its fragmentation Determining the structure of a compound by observing its fragmentation

12. Methods Collect ants Collect ants Freeze ants Freeze ants Observe them under microscope Observe them under microscope Cut off gasters by using scalpel and forceps Cut off gasters by using scalpel and forceps Crush the gasters by using paper clip Crush the gasters by using paper clip Add hexane Add hexane Inject 1 micrometer hydrocarbons mixture into the Mass Selective Detector (test if the equipment works well) Inject 1 micrometer hydrocarbons mixture into the Mass Selective Detector (test if the equipment works well) Clean the syringe by adding acetone Clean the syringe by adding acetone Inject 1 micrometer mixture (gasters and hexane) into the Mass Selective Detector Inject 1 micrometer mixture (gasters and hexane) into the Mass Selective Detector

13. Species Information Name: Tetramorium (one type of subfamily Myrmicine) Name: Tetramorium (one type of subfamily Myrmicine) Characteristics: Characteristics: - total length around 3mm - total length around 3mm - color: yellow to yellowish dark - color: yellow to yellowish dark - 2 hums - 2 hums - stinger - stinger - spines are long and acute, curved upward - spines are long and acute, curved upward - body surface covered with irregular reticulate pattern - body surface covered with irregular reticulate pattern Habitat: on the grass, park Habitat: on the grass, park Date: 7/2/07 Date: 7/2/07 Method: preserve them in the bottle with sugar and tissue Method: preserve them in the bottle with sugar and tissue

14. Results

15. Results C 15 H 32

16. Results C 15 H 32 : CH 3 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 3 (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

17. Conclusion The major chemical compound in gasters of ants is C 15 H 32, pentadecane. The major chemical compound in gasters of ants is C 15 H 32, pentadecane.

18. Future Research Further study how the compounds help the ants communicate each other. Further study how the compounds help the ants communicate each other. Collect different species to compare their complex compounds within them. Collect different species to compare their complex compounds within them.

19. Resource http://www.antweb.org/description.do?rank=subfamil y&name=myrmicinae&project=calants http://www.antweb.org/description.do?rank=subfamil y&name=myrmicinae&project=calants http://www.antweb.org/description.do?rank=subfamil y&name=myrmicinae&project=calants http://www.antweb.org/description.do?rank=subfamil y&name=myrmicinae&project=calants http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/E/Taxo/F40901.html http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/E/Taxo/F40901.html http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/E/Taxo/F40901.html http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/myrmicinae/m yrmicinae.htm http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/myrmicinae/m yrmicinae.htm http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/myrmicinae/m yrmicinae.htm http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/myrmicinae/m yrmicinae.htm http://www.answers.com/topic/myrmecology http://www.answers.com/topic/myrmecology http://www.answers.com/topic/myrmecology http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyI d=5579510 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyI d=5579510 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyI d=5579510 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyI d=5579510

20. Acknowledgment Harlem Children Society Harlem Children Society Dr. Sat Dr. Sat All Staff of HCS All Staff of HCS Prof. Attygale Prof. Attygale Pilar Rosingana Pilar Rosingana Zhihua Yang Zhihua Yang Lisa Hong Lisa Hong Stevens Institute of Technology Stevens Institute of Technology