Scheme 1. Procedures for the preparation of beta glucan extract (BGE) and measuring group performances of eusociality as superorganisms of Japanese carpenter ants (Camponotus japonicus). BGE was fed at the concentrations of 0, 20 and 50% (g/g) in diet.
Fig. 1. Number of residence chambers. Ants were grown three days on the three different BGE diets: control, low and high [0, 20, and 50% (g/g)], respectively. The creation of residence chambers was observed. The graph shows the number of residence chamber which was monitored every 3 days until 30 days since the introduction of ants. The figures refer to the number of residence chambers on the day of counting. The x-axis refers to days after introduction. Error bars are omitted for the clear presentation of data (N=3).
Fig. 2. Population size and composition. Ant farms were maintained for 30 days by feeding BGE-free or BGEsupplemented diet. At the termination of the experiment, the ant group was evaluated in terms of the total number and colony composition. Error bars represent the standard deviation (N=3).
Fig. 3. Cooperative defense (CD) efforts. Defensive response was evident a few minutes after introduction of a foreign queen. The level of cooperative defense effort was quantitated as the cooperative defense index (CDI) according to the extent of readiness against the introduced foreign queen ant. CDI= 1/[F] (F: duration taken for completion of the defense form against a foreign queen). Bars represents CDI while the line, number of participants in the CD at the three BGE concentrations. Error bars represent the standard deviation (N=4).
Fig. 4. Combinational analysis of the eusocial indexes. Three indexes in this study were standardized and combined to evaluate a specific effect of BGE on the eusociality. #RC: # of resident chambers; #P: population size consisting of workers and eggs; CDI: cooperative defense index.
Table 1. Quantification of β-glucan of BGE purified from the carpophores of Phellinus baumii by using β-glucan assay kit.
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