Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

The behaviour of ant transporters at the old and new nests during successive colony emigrations

Langridge, Elizabeth A.; Sendova-Franks, Ana B.; Franks, Nigel R.

Authors

Elizabeth A. Langridge

Ana Sendova-Franks Ana.Sendova-Franks@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Biometry & Animal Behaviour

Nigel R. Franks



Abstract

Colonies of the ant Temnothorax albipennis improve their collective performance over successive emigrations (Langridge et al. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 56:523-529, 2004, Behav Ecol Sociobiol 62:447-456, 2008). Here, by analysing the performance of individual transporters (workers that carry the brood, queen and a proportion of adults), we investigate whether they spend less time at the old and new nests during repeated emigrations. Transporters expedited choosing and picking up brood items at the old nest and depositing them in the new nest. Such improvements were not associated with adult transport. Generally, when carrying brood items, but not when carrying adults, transporters visited several locations in the new nest before depositing them. Transporters did not interact with other adults when depositing brood items. Consequently, reductions in depositing times are the sum of time savings made by individual transporters. By contrast, transporters spent most time interacting with other adults before picking up brood items at the old nest. As the frequency of these interactions did not decline, we suggest the behaviours of interacting adults were modified in a way that hastened their completion. Thus, reductions in picking-up times probably occur because of time saved during interactions. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.

Citation

Langridge, E. A., Sendova-Franks, A. B., & Franks, N. R. (2008). The behaviour of ant transporters at the old and new nests during successive colony emigrations. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 62(12), 1851-1861. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-008-0614-4

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Oct 1, 2008
Journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Print ISSN 0340-5443
Publisher Springer (part of Springer Nature)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 62
Issue 12
Pages 1851-1861
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-008-0614-4
Keywords ant transporters, colony emigrations
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1019952
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-008-0614-4