Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]

Alternative Title

Mantenimiento de senderos y comportamientos de forrajeo en dos especies de hormigas zompopas (Atta cephalotes y Acromyrmex coronatus)

Creator

Katy Zaksek

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Publication Date

May 2001

Abstract

Leaf cutting ants play an integral role in tropical forest communities. Foraging strategies impact the harvest efficiency of a colony and in turn rates of herbivory on a forest community. Trail construction and foraging efficiency were compared between two species of leaf cutting ants (Atta cephalotes and Acromyrmex coronatus). Atta cephalotes constructed major trail systems and Acromyrmex coronatus, a species with smaller colony size, traveled between harvest sites on simple foraging lines across leaf litter. Significant differences existed across species with respect to traveling speed and burden ratios (ANOVA, p < 0.0001 and 0.0071, respectively) indicating benefits in maintaining unobstructed trails. Atta cephalotes trail clearing behaviors were investigated further by simulating natural obstructions. Colonies exhibited rapid removal of all objects placed on trails and removal time was significantly correlated with worker activity and distance from nest entrance (ANOVA, p = 0.0016 and 0.0163). This study attempts to demonstrate that A. cephalotes gains a competitive advantage over other leaf-cutting species, and reaps benefits, from trail construction and maintenance despite large initial investment.

Resumen

Las zompopas juegan un papel muy importante en los bosques tropicales. Las Estrategias de forrajeo influyen la eficiencia de cosecha de hojas de una colonia de zompopas y en tomo a la proporción de herbívora en las plantas del bosque. Construcción de senderos y eficiencias de forrajeo fueron comparados en dos especies de zompopas (Atta cephalotes y Acromyrmex coronatus). Atta cephalotes construyen grandes sistemas de senderos y Ac. coronatus, una especie de menor tamaño colonial, viajan entre el sito de cosecha en simple línea de forrajeo a través de un desorden de hoja. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las especies con respecto a la velocidad y razones de carga (ANOVA, p < 0.0001 y 0.0071, respectivo), indicando beneficios en mantenimiento de senderos sin obstrucciones. El compartimiento de con respeto A, cephalotes de limpiar los senderos fue investigado simulando obstrucciones naturales. Se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre el tiempo que tomaron en limpiar el sendero y el número de trabajadoras y la distancia del nido (ANOVA, p = 0.0016 y 0.00163, respectivo). Este estudio trato demostrar que A. cephalotes obtiene una ventaja competitiva sobre otras especies de zompopas porque construyen senderos y los mantienen a pesar de una gran inversión primaria.

Keywords

Ants--Behavior, Leaf-cutting ants, CIEE Spring 2001

Palabras claves

Hormigas--Comportamiento, Zompopas, CIEE Primavera 2001

Extent

14 pages

Geographic Location

Cerro Plano (Puntarenas, Costa Rica); Cañitas (Guanacaste, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00062

Type

Book

Trail clearing and foraging behaviors in two species of leaf cutter ants (Atta cephalotes and Acromyrmex coronatus), May 2001

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