Context is everything: mapping Cyphomyrmex-derived compounds to the fungus-growing ant phylogeny

Ants communicate using a suite of chemicals with a level of sophistication that is inextricably linked to their ecological dominance. The fungus-growing ants have been the focus of chemical ecology studies for decades, especially the leaf-cutting ants. Some create long, conspicuous foraging trails to harvest fresh vegetation used to sustain large farming systems that feed millions of workers. However, of the ca. 250 fungus-growing ant species,...