Species and site differences in Neotropical army ant emigration behaviour

Authors: O'DONNELL, SEAN; LATTKE, JOHN¹; POWELL, SCOTT; KASPARI, MICHAEL²

Source: Ecological Entomology, Volume 34, Number 4, August 2009 , pp. 476-482(7)

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Abstract:

1. Along with large wingless queens and group foraging raids, periodic colony movements or emigrations are a defining feature of army ant behaviour. Emigrations are important because they regulate spacing among colonies, and provide access to new foraging sites.

2. Raid and emigration activity of army ant communities was measured at four Neotropical sites using a standardised sampling protocol. Sampling of emigration activity was carried out throughout the diel cycle.

3. Both raid and emigration activity occurred throughout the day and night. Emigration activity was highest under cover of darkness, but sites and species differed in the diel timing of emigrations. These site and species differences have implications for the evolution of emigration behaviour, as well as for the community ecology of army ants.

Keywords: Diel cycle; Eciton; Ecitoninae; Labidus; Neivamyrmex; Nomamyrmex

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.2008.01074.x

Affiliations: 1: Museo del Instituto de Zoología Agrícola, Universidad Central Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela 2: Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Publication date: 2009-08-01