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Orientation and Communication in the Neotropical Ant Odontomachus bauri Emery (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae)
Author(s) -
Oliveira Paulo S.,
Hölldobler Bert
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1989.tb00525.x
Subject(s) - hymenoptera , nest (protein structural motif) , homing (biology) , foraging , biology , chemical communication , communication , ecology , ant , orientation (vector space) , sex pheromone , alarm , pheromone , zoology , psychology , engineering , geometry , mathematics , biochemistry , aerospace engineering
The Neotropical species Odontomachus bauri employs canopy orientation during foraging and homing. An artificial canopy pattern above the ants is much more effective as an orientation cue than horizontal landmarks or chemical marks. However, both horizontal visual cues and chemical marks on the ground can serve in localizing the nest entrance. Successful O. bauri foragers recruit nestmates to leave the nest and search for food. However, the recruitment signals do not contain directional information. Antennation bouts and pheromones from the pygidial gland most likely serve as stimulating recruitment signals. Secretions from the mandibular and poison gland elicit alarm and attack behavior.