Efficiency and regulation of recruitment during colony emigration by the ant Temnothorax curvispinosus |
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Authors: | Stephen C Pratt |
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Institution: | (1) School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 874501, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA |
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Abstract: | Recruitment helps insect societies by bringing individuals to places where work needs to be done, but it also imposes energetic
and opportunity costs. The net effect depends both on recruitment efficiency and on the ease with which insects can find work
sites on their own. This study examined both of these factors for colony emigration by the ant Temnothorax curvispinosus. Emigrations were organized by a corps of active ants who transported the rest of the colony. These active ants either found
new sites independently or followed tandem runs led by successful scouts. Although most tandem runs broke apart before reaching
their target, even lost followers found the new site faster than did unguided searchers. When the new site was near the old
nest, tandem runs were rare and summoned only a small proportion of the transporter corps. When the new site was instead distant
and inconspicuous, tandem runs were common and brought roughly one third of the transporters. This pattern likely results
from the quorum rule used by individual scouts to decide when to switch from tandem runs to transports. By monitoring how
many nestmates have already found the nest, the ants ensure that the costs of recruitment are born only when necessary. |
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Keywords: | Recruitment Communication Nest site selection Quorum-sensing |
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