Data from: Megalomyrmex milenae transcriptome reveals a complex venom cocktail
Data files
Feb 05, 2026 version files 17.74 GB
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1_MmilenaBuckTHENTap_PA_Liberti2011.mp4
5.66 MB
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2_Avoid_MmilenaeRaisedGaster_PA_Liberti2011.mp4
15.22 MB
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3_Mmilenae_GasterTap_PA_Liberti2011.mp4
6.10 MB
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antdb.fasta
126.99 KB
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Mmilenae_gaster.Trinity.fasta
117.02 MB
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Mmilenae_head.Trinity.fasta
166.82 MB
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Mmilenae_thorax.Trinity.fasta
111.49 MB
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Mmilenae_venom-glands.Trinity.fasta
115.12 MB
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raw-reads.zip
17.20 GB
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README.md
3.01 KB
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toxins-bodypart.xlsx
15.95 KB
Abstract
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.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.rjdfn2zr0
Description of the data and file structure
These are the Trinity assemblies and raw reads of the Megalomyrmex milenae [https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Megalomyrmex_milenae] transcriptome, the custom BLAST database, and supplemental videos of M. milenae's natural history.
Files and variables
File: Mmilenae_gaster.Trinity.fasta
Description: Trinity assembly of the gaster (abdomen), excluding the venom organs.
File: Mmilenae_head.Trinity.fasta
Description: Trinity assembly of the head.
File: Mmilenae_thorax.Trinity.fasta
Description: Trinity assembly of the thorax.
File: Mmilenae_venom-glands.Trinity.fasta
Description: Trinity assembly of the venom glands, including the filamentous glands, venom sac, and Dufour's gland.
File: raw-reads.zip
Description: This is a zip archive that includes the raw, unassembled sequencing data. Each body part is in its own archive.
File: antdb.fasta
Description: This is the custom database of ant toxins used to functionally annotate the transcriptome.
File: toxins-bodypart.xlsx
Description: This contains the counts of over-expressed putative venom transcripts delimited by body part. Each body part occupies a different sheet. All categories analyzed are presented, but not all venom transcripts are found in all body parts.
File: 1_MmilenaBuckTHENTap_PA_Liberti2011.mp4
Description: Megalomyrmex milenae displaying "bucking" behavior. Later she taps the surface of the bait station.
This video was taken in 2011 during RMMA's Tropical Behavioral Ecology and Evolution course by Joanito Liberti. The sounds in the background are from the Panama rain forest and other students on the course.
File: 2_Avoid_MmilenaeRaisedGaster_PA_Liberti2011.mp4
Description: Megalomyrmex milenae in a raised gaster display at a bait station.
This video was taken in 2011 during RMMA's Tropical Behavioral Ecology and Evolution course by Joanito Liberti. The sounds in the background are from the Panama rain forest and other students on the course.
File: 3_Mmilenae_GasterTap_PA_Liberti2011.mp4
Description: Megalomyrmex milenae tapping her gaster at a bait station.
This video was taken in 2011 during RMMA's Tropical Behavioral Ecology and Evolution course by Joanito Liberti. The sounds in the background are from the Panama rain forest and other students on the course.
Code/software
Data can be viewed using any text editor.
Access information
Videos are also previously published on Youtube, as listed above.