Foraging preference of Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), November 2000

Alternative Title

Preferencia de forrajeo de Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera Formicidae)

Creator

Laurel Klein
Joseph Reid

Files

Publication Date

November 2000

Abstract

Leaf cutter ants, Atta cephalotes, were found to make distinct tree species choices as herbivores in the premontane wet forest of Cerro Plano, Costa Rica. One trail from each of six nests was studied. Trail lengths varied, ranging from 3.30 m to 40.40m. Trees were identified along the trail, as well as the host tree at the end of the trails. Three leaves were taken from each tree and tested for toughness, thickness, and percent water content. The results for each test for each tree along a trail were compared to those for the host tree. The ants selected for thinner leaves. A simple regression correlated leaf thickness and toughness. Because of the range of toughness per leaf thickness, however, the results for leaf selection based on toughness were not consistently significant with regards to being more or less tough than the host tree, suggesting that selection for toughness is secondary to selection to thickness. Selection for water content also yielded significant results, though; once again, not consistently significant with regards to having more or less water than the host tree. Our data suggests that other factors play a role in host selection of Atta, and further investigation of their selectivity would draw a more complete picture.

Resumen

Las zompopas, Atta cephalotes, descubrieron ser especialistas en el bosque lluvioso de Cerro Plano en Monteverde, Costa Rica. Estudiamos seis nidos, un sendero de cada nido. Las longitudes de cada nido fueron diferentes, entre 12.30 y 40 metros. Identificamos los árboles a lo largo de los senderos, y los árboles anfitriones a los términos de los senderos. Tomamos tres hojas de cada árbol y pusimos cada hoja a prueba de espesor, dureza y contenido de agua. Comparamos los resultados todos de cada árbol con los resultados del árbol anfitrión. Los árboles anfitriones tenían hojas menos el espesor de las hojas de los árboles de los senderos. Es posible que las zompopas escogieran las plantas sin savia y terpenoids.

Keywords

Ants--Behavior, CIEE Fall 2000

Palabras claves

Hormigas--Comportamiento, CIEE Otoño 2000

Extent

14 pages

Geographic Location

Cerro Plano (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00034

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Klein, Laurel and Reid, Joseph, "Foraging preference of Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), November 2000" (2000). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 409.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/409