As tawny crazy ants Nylanderia fulva invade the southern Uni

As tawny crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) invade the southern United States, they often displace imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). After exposure to S. invicta venom, N. fulva applies abdominal exocrine gland secretions to its cuticle. Bioassays reveal that detoxify S. these invicta venom. Further, formic acid from N. fulva venom is the detoxifying agent. N. fulva exhibits this detoxification behavior after conflict with a variety of ant species; however, it expresses it most intensely after interactions with S. invicta. This behavior may have evolved in their shared South American native range. The capacity to detoxify a major competitors venom probably contributes substantially to its ability to displace s. invicta populations, making this behavior a causative agent in the ecological transformation of regional arthropod assemblages.

Solution

Explanation:-

1. The scientific name of tawny crazy ants is Nylanderia fulva (N.fulva).

2. The N. fulva invade the Southern united states, and they have displaced Solenopsis invicta (Fire ants).

3. When the S. invicta venom comes in contact with N. fulva, it secretes certain secretions form the abdominal(relating to stomach) exocrine gland to its S.invicta cuticle(outer covering). Bioassay (measurement of the concentration) reveals that the secretion from N.fulva detoxify (removes toxin) from the S.invicta.

4. Usually, the formic acid is present in the secretion which acts as detoxifying agent.

5. N.fulva exhibits this detoxification behaviour with other ants as well but the intensity is most with S. invicta. This may be due to their same habitat i.e. American native range.

6. The capacity of N.fulva to detoxify S.invicta shows its ability to displace S.invicta population.