Hyenism in Ants: Non-Target Ants Profit From Polyergus rufescens Raids (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Authors

  • Pavel Pech University of Hradec Králové,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v59i1.667

Keywords:

ants, Formicidae, profit, slavery, social parasitism

Abstract

The presence of slavemaker ants alters the structure of the ant community. The influence of slavemakers on non-host ants is believed to be indirect, via changing competitive interactions among the ants. According to my observation Myrmica sabuleti (and probably also Lasius alienus) profited from a Polyergus rufescens raid against a Formica fusca nest. Both non-host species collected F. fusca corpses. These carcasses were used as food in the case of M. sabuleti at least. M. sabuleti profited substantially from the Polyergus raid because the dry biomass weight of the collected F. fusca carcasses was approximately half of the dry biomass weight of all M. sabuleti workers.

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References

Fellers, G.M., & J.H. Fellers. 1982. Scavenging rates of invertebrates in an eastern deciduous forest. American Midland Naturalist 107: 389-392.

Mori, A., C. Castracani, D.A. Grasso, F. Le Moli, & R. Visicchio 2001. Glandular sources of recruitment, trail, and propaganda semiochemicals in the slave-making ant Polyergus rufescens. Ethology, Ecology and Evolution 13: 361-372.

Punttila, P., Y. Haila, & H. Tukia 1996. Ant communities in taiga clearcuts: Habitat effects and species interactions. Ecography 19: 16-28.

Retana, J., X. Cerda & X. Espadaler 1991. Arthropod corpses in a temperate grassland: a limited supply. Holarctic Ecology 14: 63-67.

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Published

2014-10-21

How to Cite

Pech, P. (2014). Hyenism in Ants: Non-Target Ants Profit From Polyergus rufescens Raids (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology, 59(1), 67–69. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v59i1.667

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Articles

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