Megalomyrmex milenae 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 transcriptomics to qualify and quantify the proteins and peptides within Megalomyrmex milenae, a species of ant native to the Panamanian rainforest along the Panama Canal. RNA transcripts associated with and over-expressed in the venom gland allow the description of putative toxins and other significant protein components of the venom cocktail. Among other constituents, we find signatures for pore-forming toxins, neurotoxins, carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, proteins which potentially enhance trail pheromone efficacy, and peptides implicated in antimicrobial activity. This work greatly enhances our understanding of Megalomyrmex venoms, showing a multifaceted functional venom profile similar to other ant species. However, proteomic and functional assays are needed to clarify the venom functions hypothesized in this work.