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Multilevel Factors Affecting the Route Decision for Foraging in the Generalist ant Pheidole oxyops

D. S. Assis,G. Camargo,F. Nascimento

Published 2018 in Unknown venue

ABSTRACT

Pheidole oxyops Forel, 1908 is a generalist ant, which forages actively for plant debris to 9 dead arthropods. In addition, its nest has an entrance that allows the ants gather resources passively 10 by capturing falling preys into the nest. Our objective was to verify if different day periods, 11 temperature and residual soil accumulation (ground pile in the side of nest entrance) could 12 influence the patterns of foraging activity. Foraging activities were registered in the morning, 13 afternoon and twilight. We measured direction and vector of trails, air temperature and humidity 14 during foraging events. Our results showed that foraging routes are independent of residual soil 15 accumulation and other nearby nests. However, air temperature and the time daily period are 16 significant factors to foragers’ exits. Higher air temperatures influenced negatively the exits. In the 17 period of the afternoon, the ants do not show any preference for routes, different from the morning 18 and twilight. In addition, foraging activities were significantly more frequent during twilight 19 period. Leaving the nest at twilight could allow ants foraging in an environment with less exposition 20 to potential predators and competitors. Moreover, it may be also related to opportunism to hunt 21 other nocturnal insects. 22

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