Journal article
Diurnal and nocturnal foraging specialisation in Neotropical army ants
Ecological entomology, v 46(2), pp 352-359
01 Apr 2021
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Temporal segregation of species' activity periods may lessen interspecific competition.
e tested for temporal segregation among Neotropical army ants (Formicidae: Dorylinae). Co-occurring species overlap on prey resources, and regular colony movements and long-distance raiding increase interspecific interference.
We hypothesised interspecific competition selects for temporal separation of species' raid periods into diurnal versus nocturnal activity. We predicted species would differ significantly in their timing of foraging. We further predicted timing would differ among congeners because close relatives likely overlap in resource needs.
Trail walk encounter rates were used to estimate species' diurnal versus nocturnal foraging activity at four Neotropical sites.
Army ant species differed significantly in foraging times. There were significantly diurnal and nocturnal specialists; some species foraged at similar rates day and night. Two genera (Eciton and Neivamyrmex) included both diurnal and nocturnal specialists. Relative eye size (a morphological indicator of above-ground activity) was positively associated with diel foraging specialisation (both diurnal and nocturnal).
Temporal separation of foraging times may play a role in allowing Neotropical army ant species to occupy the same habitat. Diel specialisation may be a common mechanism for species coexistence in tropical forests where season-based phenological changes are often moderated.
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Details
- Title
- Diurnal and nocturnal foraging specialisation in Neotropical army ants
- Creators
- Sean O'Donnell - Drexel UniversityJohn Lattke - Federal University of ParanáScott Powell - George Washington UniversityMichael Kaspari - University of Oklahoma
- Publication Details
- Ecological entomology, v 46(2), pp 352-359
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- CASE partner-Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama National Geographic Society Committee for Research and Exploration; National Geographic Society NER/S/A/2001/05997 / Natural Environment Research Council, U.K.; UK Research & Innovation (UKRI); Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000584802500001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85096684282
- Other Identifier
- 991019167883904721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Entomology