Pheidole oxyops builds subterranean nests, with an external architecture that is distinctive and easily recognizable by its wide and specific entrance hole, measuring up to 12.2 cm in diameter, denoting a pitfall-trap...Pheidole oxyops builds subterranean nests, with an external architecture that is distinctive and easily recognizable by its wide and specific entrance hole, measuring up to 12.2 cm in diameter, denoting a pitfall-trap. In order to study the nests＇ internal architecture, seven nests were excavated; four were identified with neutral talc, while the others were cast in cement and then excavated. Measurements were made in order to gain a better understand- ing of their structures, and a photographic documentation was obtained as well. The excavations revealed that the nests are perpendicular relative to the ground, beginning with a cylindrical channel with a mean length of 13.5 cm, containing irregular formations, and whose diameter becomes progressively narrower until the first chamber is formed. As the channel continues, dish-like chambers appear, interconnected by channels that become progressively narrower and longer, while the chambers are arranged at greater distances from each other as nest depth increases. Both channels and chambers are located on the vertical projection of the entrance hole. Nests may reach a depth of up to 5.09 m, with a number of chambers ranging between 4 and 14.展开更多
In this paper, we analyze and compare nest composition and architecture as well as worker relatedness in three related species of slave-making ants： Rossomyrmex anatolicus, R. minuchae, and R. quandratinodum. Colony ...In this paper, we analyze and compare nest composition and architecture as well as worker relatedness in three related species of slave-making ants： Rossomyrmex anatolicus, R. minuchae, and R. quandratinodum. Colony structure within nests is an important trait in ants, especially in the case of mixed societies, when host and parasite coexist in the same nest. Data for their respective free-living hosts, Proformica korbi, P.. longiseta and P. sp., are also provided. For our study, we integrated a meticulous excava- tion procedure with a genetic method. We conclude that the average number of parasites, as well as of slaves, is species-specific, whereas nest depth depends on the nest archi- tecture of the host. The genus Rossomyrmex seems to be monogynous and monandrous, whereas Proformica shows differences in the number of queens and mating frequency. R. quandratinodum shows different traits in nest composition （host/parasite ratio： P/R） and architecture. The difference in traits may account for some differences in parasitism： raid process or avoidance of parasitism.展开更多
文摘Pheidole oxyops builds subterranean nests, with an external architecture that is distinctive and easily recognizable by its wide and specific entrance hole, measuring up to 12.2 cm in diameter, denoting a pitfall-trap. In order to study the nests＇ internal architecture, seven nests were excavated; four were identified with neutral talc, while the others were cast in cement and then excavated. Measurements were made in order to gain a better understand- ing of their structures, and a photographic documentation was obtained as well. The excavations revealed that the nests are perpendicular relative to the ground, beginning with a cylindrical channel with a mean length of 13.5 cm, containing irregular formations, and whose diameter becomes progressively narrower until the first chamber is formed. As the channel continues, dish-like chambers appear, interconnected by channels that become progressively narrower and longer, while the chambers are arranged at greater distances from each other as nest depth increases. Both channels and chambers are located on the vertical projection of the entrance hole. Nests may reach a depth of up to 5.09 m, with a number of chambers ranging between 4 and 14.
文摘In this paper, we analyze and compare nest composition and architecture as well as worker relatedness in three related species of slave-making ants： Rossomyrmex anatolicus, R. minuchae, and R. quandratinodum. Colony structure within nests is an important trait in ants, especially in the case of mixed societies, when host and parasite coexist in the same nest. Data for their respective free-living hosts, Proformica korbi, P.. longiseta and P. sp., are also provided. For our study, we integrated a meticulous excava- tion procedure with a genetic method. We conclude that the average number of parasites, as well as of slaves, is species-specific, whereas nest depth depends on the nest archi- tecture of the host. The genus Rossomyrmex seems to be monogynous and monandrous, whereas Proformica shows differences in the number of queens and mating frequency. R. quandratinodum shows different traits in nest composition （host/parasite ratio： P/R） and architecture. The difference in traits may account for some differences in parasitism： raid process or avoidance of parasitism.
