Foraging and Spatial Ecology of a Polydomous Carpenter Ant, Camponotus leydigi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in Tropical Cerrado Savanna: A Natural History Account

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélio Soares ◽  
Paulo S Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Nutritional Ecology ◽  
Solid Food ◽  
Nitrogen Acquisition ◽  
Carpenter Ants ◽  
Carpenter Ant ◽  
Cerrado Savanna

Abstract Carpenter ants (genus Camponotus) are considered to be predominantly omnivorous, mixing several feeding habits that include predation, scavenging of animal matter, and plant-derived resources. Nitrogen acquisition is crucial for the nutritional ecology of ant colonies because growing larvae require sustainable protein provisioning. Here, we investigate the foraging ecology and the spatial nesting structure of the carpenter ant, Camponotus leydigi Forel, in Brazilian cerrado savanna. By marking workers from different nests with distinct colors, we revealed that C. leydigi occupies physically separated but socially connected nests (up to 30 m apart), a phenomenon known as polydomy. Observational data on aboveground internest movements in C. leydigi corroborate cooperative exchanges between nest units and confirm several types of social connections, including internest transfer of liquid and solid food, transport of colony members (brood, workers), movement of solitary workers, and internest recruitment. Polydomous C. leydigi allocate foragers throughout 1,700 m2, feeding mostly on termites and plant-derived exudates. Influx of exudates is threefold higher compared with solid food. Uric acid pellets excreted by lizards comprise 20% of the solid diet in C. leydigi, a rare quantitative assessment of this peculiar type of nitrogen complementation in ants. Based on video recordings, we hypothesize that nest decentralization in C. leydigi may reduce foraging constraints caused by overt interference by the aggressive ant, Ectatomma brunneum Smith, F. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), which regularly blocks nest entrances. Our field study enhances the importance of natural history data to clarify selective pressures underlying the evolution of particular behavioral patterns (nutritional and nesting habits) in ants.

Foraging Ecology of the Leaf-Cutter Ant, Acromyrmex subterraneus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in a Neotropical Cerrado Savanna

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1434-1441
Author(s):  
Ana C Calheiros ◽  
Mariane U V Ronque ◽  
Hélio Soares ◽  
Paulo S Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Total Load ◽  
Fresh Plant Material ◽  
Relative Air Humidity ◽  
Cerrado Savanna ◽  
Species Activity ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Load Mass

Abstract Fungus-farming ants cultivate a fungal symbiont inside the nest that serves as a food source. Leaf-cutter ants are distinctive among fungus-farmers because they forage for fresh plant material to nurture the fungus. Here we investigate the foraging ecology of Acromyrmex subterraneus (Forel) in the Brazilian cerrado savanna. We examined the species activity pattern, forage material collected, and the relationship between load mass and forager size. Ant activity peaked at night and was negatively related to temperature but positively related to relative air humidity. The majority of the items collected by ants was plant material: dry and fresh leaves, flowers, and fruits. Trunk trails ranged from 0.7 to 13 m and colony home ranged from 2 to 28 m2, indicating that ants collect material nearby the nest. Total load mass was positively associated with forager size, especially in the case of leaves. The negative relationship between ant size and burden suggests that ants might optimize their delivery rate by collecting lighter substrates more frequently. Given their pest status, most studies on leaf-cutters are undertaken in human-altered environments. Information on A. subterraneus in native cerrado is imperative given the threatened status of this vegetation. Leaf-cutters thrive in disturbed cerrado and severe seedling herbivory may hinder vegetation recovery. Our fieldwork may provide insights for management techniques of Acromyrmex colonies in agroecosystems, as well as for restoration programs of degraded cerrado areas.

Breeding systems and genetic diversity in tropical carpenter ant colonies: different strategies for similar outcomes in Brazilian Cerrado savanna

2020 ◽  
Vol 190 (3) ◽  
pp. 1020-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Azevedo-Silva ◽  
Gustavo M Mori ◽  
Carolina S Carvalho ◽  
Marina C Côrtes ◽  
Anete P Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Mating Frequency ◽  
Ant Colonies ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Carpenter Ant ◽  
Cerrado Savanna ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Eusocial insects tend to present low genetic diversity (GD) within colonies, which can increase with the co-occurrence of multiple queens (polygyny) or with multiple mating by a single queen (polyandry). Therefore, it is important to elucidate how these strategies influence GD, which in turn mediate population ecology and how organisms respond to their environment. We studied two carpenter ant species from the Brazilian savanna, Camponotus renggeri and C. rufipes. Using microsatellites, we evaluated the number of breeders, the genetic relatedness and the contribution of polygyny and polyandry to GD within colonies. Both species exhibited facultative polygyny. In C. renggeri, low related queens formed colonies jointly and present low mating frequency. In this species, colony GD increased with the number of queens. Contrastingly, closely related queens of C. rufipes formed polygynous colonies, exhibiting high mating frequency. In C. rufipes, both queens and males contributed to colony GD. Despite the differences, the two species have similar GD at the colony scale. Under low mating frequency, our data support that polygyny has evolutionary importance for increasing GD in ant colonies, a mechanism mainly conferred to polyandry. Although the impact of GD in variable ecological and adaptive contexts remains uncertain, this study highlights how distinct reproductive strategies may generate similar patterns of GD in ants.

Seasonal occurrence and maturation of Triaenophorus nodulosus (Pallas, 1781) (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) in the Pike Esox lucius L. of Llyn Tegid

Parasitology ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 53 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 419-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Chubb
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Dynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
British Museum ◽  
Seasonal Occurrence ◽  
Constant Number ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Genital Development ◽  
Triaenophorus Nodulosus

1. An account is given of the seasonal occurrence and maturation of Triaenophorus nodulosus, based on the examination of the worms from 104 pike taken in Llyn Tegid from December 1957 to October 1959.2. The plerocercoids of T. nodulosus were found in the livers of the perch of Llyn Tegid. Infective plerocercoids were found throughout the year, and it is considered that invasion of the pike, also, occurred throughout the year.3. The annual cycle of maturation of T. nodulosus described by other workers is confirmed. Currently, five arbitrary stages of maturity were recognized, and the incidence of each of these stages during each month of the investigation is given. During June to September the worms were of plerocercoid-form, from October to December genital development occurred and the first eggs were observed in the uteri in December. Egg liberation was at a peak from April to May, and by June the population of matured worms was lost.4. A non-linear relationship was found between the length of the pike and the numbers of worms occurring in the intestines of these fish. This phenomenon was related to the feeding habits of the pike; the medium-sized most heavily infected pike were eating the largest number of the perch containing the plerocercoids.5. It was found that although invasion of the pike by plerocercoids of T. nodulosus occurred throughout the year, there was no increase in the numbers of worms in the pike intestines, to a maximum, at any time of the year, rather there was a more or less constant number of worms in pike of given length at all times of the year. It is suggested, therefore, that a dynamic equilibrium exists between gain of plerocercoids and loss of worms from the pike intestines at all times.6. Factors affecting the change from plerocercoid to a mature worm are discussed. It is suggested that an experimental approach is needed.I am grateful to the Welsh Land and Agricultural Sub-Commission for permission to net Llyn Tegid, and to Captain G. H. A. Boyle of the Sub-Commission for his help in the capture of the pike. I also wish to thank Professor R. J. Pumphrey in whose Department this work was carried out, Dr P. M. Sheppard for statistical analyses, Dr J. W. Jones and Mr S. Prudhoe (British Museum, Natural History) for discussion of the manuscript. The work was carried out during the tenure of a Department of Scientific and Industrial Research studentship.

scholarly journals Space, Habitat and Isolation are the Key Determinants of Tree Colonization by the Carpenter Ant in Plantation Forests

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Véle ◽  
Jakub Horák
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Brown Rot ◽  
Forest Plantations ◽  
Ant Nests ◽  
Real Nature ◽  
Carpenter Ants ◽  
Carpenter Ant ◽  
Coniferous Plantation

Forest plantations are still often considered the antithesis of real nature. However, plantations can host many organisms. The problem is that some of the hosted species are regarded ad hoc as pests. The main aim of our paper was to study the carpenter ant (Camponotus ligniperdus) in windstorm habitats. We studied forests in East Bohemia, Czech Republic, and focused on the spatial distribution of snapped trees and the influence of selected forest characteristics on the incidence of ant nests. We found that the nests in the study area mainly occurred in Norway spruce, which is the most commercially important tree in the majority of Central Europe. More than one quarter of the snapped trees were inhabited by the ants. We found that nests exhibited a spatially autocorrelated pattern that differed on spatial scales. The most important characteristic of the host tree for determining carpenter ant nests was the presence of brown rot, and the majority of tree nests were isolated from forest openings. The presence of carpenter ants in forest plantations is, therefore, not harmful. Their presence could be used by forest managers as an indication of unsuitable stand conditions for the successful growth of the Norway spruce and other coniferous plantation trees.

Preliminary observations on home ranges and natural history of Scotinomys teguina in Costa Rica

Mammalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 490-493
Author(s):  
David O. Ribble ◽  
Galen B. Rathbun
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Central America ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Dense Forest ◽  
Low Diversity ◽  
History Of

Abstract We conducted a brief radiotelemetry study of Scotinomys teguina (Alston’s singing mice) in Costa Rica to better understand their natural history and spatial ecology. We radio-collared five mice, one of which was quickly eaten by a pitviper. The home ranges of the remaining mice were in moist habitats and ranged from 255 to 1620 m2, with extensive overlap between adjacent individuals. Singing mice, being small, diurnal, uniformly dark-colored insectivores foraging in dense forest floor habitats, have an adaptive syndrome similar to soricids, which may be due to the low diversity of shrews through Central America.

The Biology of Carpenter Ants in New Brunswick

1964 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 894-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Wood Chips ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Carpenter Ants ◽  
Carpenter Ant ◽  
Eastern White Cedar ◽  
Cycle Covers ◽  
Frequency Curves

AbstractThirty-five colonies of three species of carpenter ant were examined: 25 of Camponotus herculeanus, 9 of C. noveboracensis, and 1 of C. pennsylvanicus. Workings were examined in about 150 trees. No major differences were noticed in the biology of the first two species.All individuals were taken from two overwintering, torpid, C. herculeanus colonies; the larger contained 6,000 workers, 550 winged forms, and 6,500 larvae. Larvae were of two sizes and it is thought that the life cycle covers two years in New Brunswick. Frequency curves of worker head widths show that there are majors and minors, the minors being more numerous, especially in small colonies.Each colony typically occupied several trees, only one of which contained the brood; the others had less extensive workings. Entrances were underground and led to tunnels connecting the trees within each colony. Surplus wood chips were buried in the ground. Ant activity in the tunnels was continuous through the day and night; few ants were seen on the forest floor.Woodpeckers are important enemies and had attacked one third of the brood trees.The workings frequently assist wind breakage and damage butt logs. From the roots they extend to a height of 4-6 ft., occasionally higher. 1% of the spruce, and 2-4% of the balsam fir examined had been attacked. This may lead to loss of 10% of merchantable volume, and possibly a higher figure for eastern white cedar.

scholarly journals A Day in the Life of the Giant Ant Dinoponera lucida Emery, 1901 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): Records of Activities and Intraspecific Interactions

Sociobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 6166
Author(s):  
Cássio Zocca ◽  
Flávio Curbani ◽  
Rodrigo B. Ferreira ◽  
Cecília Weichert ◽  
Tathiana Guerra Sobrinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Trophic Interactions ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Agonistic Interactions ◽  
Intraspecific Interactions ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
The Mean

Ants present a wide variety of nesting sites, feeding habits, and trophic interactions, but the biology of most species remains unknown. Dinoponera lucida is a poneromorph ant forest-specialist and solitary forager, endemic to the Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Herein we describe foraging activities, guard and maintenance of the nests, orientation mode, and intraspecific interactions performed by D. lucida. We found three nests distant from each other at least 8.5 m, and the mean reached distance by a worker was 3.8 m. The workers showed colony fidelity and random forage in their territory. We observed two non-agonistic interactions between workers from the same nest, and two agonistic interactions between foraging workers from different nests. The low frequency of agonistic interactions suggests that workers from different nests are unlikely to forage in the same area. Our results expand the knowledge on ants’ natural history through data on foraging activities, guard and maintenance of the nests, orientation mode and intraspecific interactions.

scholarly journals Nutritional ecology provides insights into competitive interactions between closely-related marten species

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Gazzola ◽  
Alessandro Balestrieri
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Food Item ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Nutritional Ecology ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Stone Marten ◽  
Pine Marten ◽  
Nutrient Profiles

AbstractFor generalist, closely-related predators as those belonging to the genusMartes, it is a hard task to differentiate the effects on feeding habits of variation in food availability from those of resource competition. To overcome this obstacle, we reviewed dietary studies that assessed the relative bulk of each food item, as either percent biomass or percent mean volume, in the diet of both the pine-(M. martes) and stone-(M. foina) marten, and calculated the nutrient profiles (intakes of protein, lipids and carbohydrates, expressed as percentages of total metabolizable energy) of each diet. Both martens’ diets tightly clustered (average values: 47% protein-, 39% lipid- and 14% carbohydrate energy), but, most interestingly, in allopatry the nutritional niches of the two species did not differ, while the stone marten ate more carbohydrates and less protein when sympatric with the pine marten. Our data suggest that stone marten frugivory is the result of interspecific competition.

scholarly journals Collective foraging in spatially complex nutritional environments

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1727) ◽  
pp. 20160238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Lihoreau ◽  
Michael A. Charleston ◽  
Alistair M. Senior ◽  
Fiona J. Clissold ◽  
David Raubenheimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Nutritional Ecology ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Social Effects ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Nutritional Geometry ◽  
Collective Foraging ◽  
Collective Animal Behaviour

Nutrition impinges on virtually all aspects of an animal's life, including social interactions. Recent advances in nutritional ecology show how social animals often trade-off individual nutrition and group cohesion when foraging in simplified experimental environments. Here, we explore how the spatial structure of the nutritional landscape influences these complex collective foraging dynamics in ecologically realistic environments. We introduce an individual-based model integrating key concepts of nutritional geometry, collective animal behaviour and spatial ecology to study the nutritional behaviour of animal groups in large heterogeneous environments containing foods with different abundance, patchiness and nutritional composition. Simulations show that the spatial distribution of foods constrains the ability of individuals to balance their nutrient intake, the lowest performance being attained in environments with small isolated patches of nutritionally complementary foods. Social interactions improve individual regulatory performances when food is scarce and clumpy, but not when it is abundant and scattered, suggesting that collective foraging is favoured in some environments only. These social effects are further amplified if foragers adopt flexible search strategies based on their individual nutritional state. Our model provides a conceptual and predictive framework for developing new empirically testable hypotheses in the emerging field of social nutrition. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Physiological determinants of social behaviour in animals’.

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