Colony variation in the collective regulation of foraging by harvester ants.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates variation in collective behavior in a natural population of colonies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus. Harvester ant colonies regulate foraging activity to adjust to current food availability; the rate at which inactive foragers leave the nest on the next trip depends on the rate at which successful foragers return with food. This study investigates differences among colonies in foraging activity and how these differences are associated with variation among colonies in the regulation of foraging. Colonies differ in the baseline rate at which patrollers leave the nest, without stimulation from returning ants. This baseline rate predicts a colony's foraging activity, suggesting there is a colony-specific activity level that influences how quickly any ant le

SUBMITTER: Gordon DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3071749 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature