Interindividual distances in mixed-species groups of ants: an estimation of cohesion in social groups |
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Authors: | Christine Errard Alain Lenoir |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée, URA CNRS 667, Université Paris-Nord, 93430 Villetaneuse, France |
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Abstract: | Spatial organization was estimated in mixed-species groups of ants with interindividual distance measures as a function of:
(1) the age of the workers when associated; and (2) the presence of the brood. Workers ofManica rubida (Myrmicinae) andFormica selysi (Formicinae) were reared in single-species groups (control) or in artificial, mixed-species groups, created 5 h, 12 h or
22 h after emergence, with or without brood. By recording the location of each individual in the nest during the 10 days following
the creation of the groups, we evaluated the spatial organization and the interindividual distances between homocolonial or
allospecific workers, and between workers and homocolonial or allospecific brood. The cohesion of the group, depend on the
age of the workers when associated: the younger the individuals are when the groups are created, the smaller are the interindividual
distances. Moreover, homocolonial individuals aggregated with brood, when present, which improves the overall cohesion of
the group. However, in mixed groups, both species associated preferentially with members of their own species. This suggests
that newly-emerged ants do not depend totally on the odors of their nestmates to construct their recognition template and
that they also possess an innate, specific template. |
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