Territoriality in the Malaysian giant ant Camponotus gigas (Hymenoptera/Formicidae) |
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Authors: | Martin Pfeiffer Karl Eduard Linsenmair |
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Institution: | (1) Theodor-Boveri-Institute of the University of Wuerzburg, Department for Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), Wuerzburg, Germany, DE |
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Abstract: | In a 5-ha area of primary lowland rain forest in Borneo, we observed four polydomous colonies of the night-active giant ant
Camponotus gigas. The nonoverlapping, three-dimensional territories in the canopy had a ground size up to 0.8 ha. C. gigas showed a distinct territorial behavior: (1) specific “barrack” nests, especially containing many majors, were situated at
the borders and were established during long-term territorial conflicts; (2) trunk trails were regularly patrolled by majors
that attacked alien conspecifics and some other ant species violently; and (3) sentinels, often involved in long-enduring
conflicts with neighboring ant colonies, defended the borders at bridgeheads. Interspecific conflicts with sympatric Camponotus species always led to violent, “bloody” fights of all castes. Intraspecific conflicts, however, were solved by ritual fights
(“front leg boxing”) of majors. C. gigas performed a de-escalation strategy to end short periods of true intraspecific “ant war” that we provoked experimentally.
Artificially induced ritualized combats continued over weeks also in the absence of baits, indicating that borders may become
established by long-term conflicts of attrition. We discuss the differences between ritual fights in desert and rain-forest
ants and apply Lanchester's theory of battles to our findings.
Received: October 17, 2000 / Accepted: May 14, 2001 |
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Keywords: | Camponotus gigas Territory Antagonistic behavior Ritualized fighting Borneo Rain forest |
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