<em>Megalomyrmex milenae</em> transcriptome reveals a complex venom cocktail

Megalomyrmex ant species have a rich natural history that provides an interesting backdrop to understanding how venom has been shaped by evolution. However, like many other species in the tribe Solenopsidini, alkaloid investigations have dominated, limiting our understanding of the diversity of venom components. Here, we use venomic tools to qualify and quantify the proteins and peptides within Megalomyrmex milenae, a species of ant native to the Panamanian rainforest along the Panama Canal. We collect a full transcriptome and, for the first time, describe toxic and other protein components of the venom cocktail. Among other constituents, we find signatures for pore-forming toxins, neurotoxins, carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, proteins that potentially enhance trail pheromone efficacy, and peptides implicated in antimicrobial activity. This greatly enhances our understanding of Megalomyrmex venoms, including offering explanations for the multifaceted functional profile observed in other studies.