Eciton burchellii: polymorphism of submajor caste and foraging efficiency, May 2009

Alternative Title

Eciton burchelli: polimorfismo de las principales sub-castas y la eficiencia de forrajeos

Creator

Samantha Alger

Files

Publication Date

May 2009

Abstract

Due to the link between efficiency and fitness, there should be selective pressure for morphology and behavior that promotes foraging efficiency. Among social insects, selective pressures act on individuals, shaping the physical castes of a colony. The highly polymorphic army ant, Eciton burchellii, has castes with morphological adaptations to allow task specialization. This study investigates what selective pressures are acting to shape the polymorphism of the submajor caste in E. burchellii. Ants were collected to find a relationship between ant caste and the prey’s biomass, width, and length. Results show that prey width is the greatest pressure effecting transportation efficiency, and in turn, shaping the evolution of the specialized porter caste (i.e., submajor). Results also indicate that of all the castes, submajors are found to be the most morphologically different and they carry the most different sized prey. Possible explanations to Eciton’s physically exaggerated submajor caste include their outstanding need of transport efficiency and unique prey preferences.

Resumen

Este estudio investiga que presiones selectivas actúan moldeando el polimorfismo de la casta submayor en E. burchelli. Las hormigas fueron colectadas para encontrar una relación entre la casta, la biomasa, la anchura y la longitud de la presa.

Keywords

Ants--Behavior, Genetic polymorphisms, CIEE Spring 2009

Palabras claves

Hormigas--Comportamiento, Polimorfismos genéticos, CIEE Primavera 2009

Extent

6 pages

Geographic Location

San Luis (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00521

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Alger, Samantha, "Eciton burchellii: polymorphism of submajor caste and foraging efficiency, May 2009" (2009). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 38.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/38