Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Pages: 25800-

Journal: Scientific Reports

Volume number: 6

ISSN: 2045-2322

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep25800

Publisher: Nature Research

Abstract: 
Aggressive interactions between members of a social group represent an important source of social stress with all its negative follow-ups. We used the ponerine ant Harpegnathos saltator to study the effects of frequent aggressive interactions on the resistance to different stressors. In these ants, removal or death of reproducing animals results in a period of social instability within the colony that is characterized by frequent ritualized aggressive interactions leading to the establishment of a new dominance structure. Animals are more susceptible to infections during this period, whereas their resistance against other stressors remained unchanged. This is associated with a shift from glutathione-S-transferase activities towards glutathione peroxidase activities, which increases the antioxidative capacity at the expense of their immune competence.

Harvard Citation style: Schneider, S., Scharffetter, C., Wagner, A., Boesch, C., Bruchhaus, I., Rimbach, G., et al. (2016) Social stress increases the susceptibility to infection in the ant Harpegnathos saltator, Scientific Reports, 6, p. 25800. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep25800

APA Citation style: Schneider, S., Scharffetter, C., Wagner, A., Boesch, C., Bruchhaus, I., Rimbach, G., & Roeder, T. (2016). Social stress increases the susceptibility to infection in the ant Harpegnathos saltator. Scientific Reports. 6, 25800. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep25800