Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
Extracts of free amino acids from six species of ants (Pogonomyrmex barbatus (F. Smith), P. occidentalis (Cresson), Tapinoma sessile (Say), Camponotus pennsylvanicus (DeGeer), Conomyrma pyramica (Roger), and Novomessor cockerelli (E. André) were analyzed by thin layer, one and two dimensional paper chromatography, and an automatic amino acid analyzer to determine the potential use of qualitative and (or) quantitative data of the free amino acid composition of ants in taxonomic studies. The results demonstrate that no significant qualitative differences exist, but that the automatic amino acid analyzer may be used to show significant quantitative differences in the free amino acid composition of the ants studied.