info:eu-repo/semantics/article
The Effect of nest Size and Species Identity on Plant Selection in Acromyrmex Leaf-Cutting Ants
Fecha
2018-09Registro en:
Jofre, Laura Elizabeth; Medina, Ana Irene; Farji Brener, Alejandro Gustavo; Moglia, Marta Matilde; The Effect of nest Size and Species Identity on Plant Selection in Acromyrmex Leaf-Cutting Ants; Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Sociobiology; 65; 3; 9-2018; 456-462
2447-8067
CONICET Digital
CONICET
Autor
Jofre, Laura Elizabeth
Medina, Ana Irene
Farji Brener, Alejandro Gustavo
Moglia, Marta Matilde
Resumen
Leaf-cutting ants are key organisms because their role as primary consumers and potential agricultural pests. However, their foraging ecology was mostly studied as response of extrinsic factors such as climate and plant species traits. We evaluated the effects of intrinsic factors (i. e., nest size and species identity) on the foraging behavior in two species of Acromyrmex Mayr leaf-cutting ants. While large and small nests of A. lobicornis Emery showed similar feeding behavior, small nests of A. striatus Roger harvested a greater percent of the plant species available in their foraging area and showed a higher level of selectivity than larger nests. We discussed some probable reasons for this pattern. Our results highlight the relevance of intrinsic factors and species characteristics to explain changes in the foraging ecology of leaf-cutting ants as colony growth.