Necrophoresis

Necrophoresis is a sanitation behavior found in

While the strict definition of necrophoresis deals with the removal of dead nestmates only,[3] others have extended it to the removal of corpses that include non-nestmates and even alien species. The adaptive value of the behavior is that it acts as a sanitary measure to prevent disease or infection from spreading throughout the colony.^[4][5]

Castes and specialization

Although any member of a colony can carry the bodies, it is usually done by designated 'undertakers'. Ant undertakers have a slightly altered development cycle, and are much more likely than other ants to handle corpse removal. They are not restricted to performing only this task, but they do exhibit different behavioral and movement patterns than other members of the colony, which assist them in this task.

Differentiating between dead and living insects is accomplished by detecting their chemical signature. Depending on the species, this can be communicated by either the absence of chemicals that are present when they are alive,[11] or by those released in decaying corpses. Experiment have sought to identify how ants identify corpses that need to be disposed and have found that in some cases it is the presence of oleic and linoleic acid, produced by the breakdown of fats. This breakdown can take about two days. There are also differences in how dead nestmates and non-nestmates are treated.^[12][13] Seed collection and dispersal behaviors in myrmecochory are also found to be similar to those involved in necrophory and triggered by similar chemicals.^{[14][failed verification][clarification needed]}

References