ISSN:
1420-9098
Keywords:
Ectatomma ruidum
;
Pheidole radoszkowskii
;
food robbing
;
foraging behavior
;
pheromone trails
;
cleptobiosis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Observations of the ponerine antEctatomma ruidum suggested that this is a cleptobiotic species which appears to use the pheromone trails of other ant species to locate individual workers carrying food. To test this hypothesis an arena was set up to quantify the position of eachE. ruidum that entered the arena with respect to its position on or off a well-established foraging trail ofPheidole radoszkowskii, a myrmicine. Encounters betweenE. ruidum andP. radoszkowskii are described. Quantitative data and behavioral observations support the cleptobiosis hypothesis. This study adds yet another dimension to the diverse array of foraging strategies of the Ponerinae.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01242365
Permalink
