Sze Huei Zoe Yek

PhD student (KU)

Metapleural glands (MG) are unique for ants and represent a phylogenetically basal and old character of the entire Formicidae family. The MG has undergone various structural and chemical modifications in response to specific needs. Almost all extant ants have MGs except for the males in most species, specialized social parasites, and several genera of the subfamily Formicinae. In fungus-growing ants, the MGs are likely to have interesting derived function due to the symbiosis with fungi. This project aim to use organic chemical, genetical and genomic approaches to address main questions related to the evolution and function of MGs.

SYek@bio.ku.dk

Theme: [T6]
Organism: [Fungus-growing ants]