Table 1 FDB.pdf

Chemical signal-mediated communication is present in all forms of life. Cuticular hydrocarbons are essential for mediating interactions among colony members in ants. These compounds are present in the insect's epicuticle and, in addition to protecting against desiccation, play essential roles in communication by signaling information about fertility, sex, caste, and kinship. In Brazil, the high diversity of ants suggests a broad variation in CHC profiles; however, studies on this topic remain scarce. To better understand CHC diversity in Brazilian ants, this chapter systematically reviews research conducted over the past 30 years. The review was performed by searching major academic databases, restricting the selection to studies on ants collected within Brazilian territory. Thirty-six articles were identified, with the highest representation in the Southeast and Central-West regions. The most studied species belong to the subfamily Myrmicinae, followed by Ponerinae, Ectatomminae, and Formicinae. The most representative CHC classes were branched alkanes, linear alkanes, and alkenes. CHC profiles in Brazilian ants exhibit both qualitative and quantitative variations. Considering the country's diverse biomes, further research at a national scale is encouraged to enhance the understanding of the ecological and evolutionary aspects of cuticular hydrocarbons.