Density- and size-dependent spacing of ant nests: evidence for intraspecific competition |
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Authors: | J Hall Cushman Gregory D Martinsen Anthony I Mazeroll |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 86011 Flagstaff, AZ, USA |
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Abstract: | Summary We present three lines of evidence which each suggest that intraspecific competition has significantly influenced the spacing patterns of Formica altipetens colonies. First, nearest-neighbor analysis of nest spacing patterns detected significant uniformity in six of eight plots. Second, there was a signifcant increase in the distance separating nearest neighbors as ant nest diameters increased. Third, ant nest density predicted substantial variation in the colony dispersion index, indicating the existence of a dispersion continuum at our study site. |
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Keywords: | Formica altipetens Intraspecific competition Nearest-neighbor analysis Nest size and density |
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