Elizabeth A. Langridge
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
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 |
You might also like
Digging the optimum pit: Antlions, spirals and spontaneous stratification
(2019)
Journal Article
Social flocculation in plant–animal worms
(2019)
Journal Article
Asymmetric ommatidia count and behavioural lateralization in the ant Temnothorax albipennis
(2018)
Journal Article
Plant-animal worms round themselves up in circular mills on the beach
(2018)
Journal Article
Complementary landmarks facilitate ant navigation
(2018)
Journal Article