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Species and site differences in Neotropical army ant emigration behaviour
Author(s) -
O’DONNELL SEAN,
LATTKE JOHN,
POWELL SCOTT,
KASPARI MICHAEL
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
ecological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0307-6946
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2311.2008.01074.x
Subject(s) - emigration , biology , foraging , ecology , diel vertical migration , zoology , archaeology , geography
1. Along with large wingless queens and group foraging raids, periodic colony movements or emigrations are a defining feature of army ant behaviour. Emigrations are important because they regulate spacing among colonies, and provide access to new foraging sites. 2. Raid and emigration activity of army ant communities was measured at four Neotropical sites using a standardised sampling protocol. Sampling of emigration activity was carried out throughout the diel cycle. 3. Both raid and emigration activity occurred throughout the day and night. Emigration activity was highest under cover of darkness, but sites and species differed in the diel timing of emigrations. These site and species differences have implications for the evolution of emigration behaviour, as well as for the community ecology of army ants.