Dump size and distance from the nest define the investment in waste management in Sericomyrmex mayri (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini)

Authors

  • Marília R. Bitar Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Yasmine Antonini Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Vitor L. Lopes Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Maykon P. Cristiano Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Aline U. N. Lima Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Fernanda V. Costa Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0753-8060

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.20.30.2.0.1036

Keywords:

fungus garden, mutualism, fungus-growing ants

Abstract

The farming system practiced by non-leaf-cutting ants Sericomyrmex mayri (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini) involves a mutualistic interaction with symbiotic fungi. Their colonies’ success depends on several factors, such as the fungus garden protection against pathogens. Garden contamination may depend on the aspects involved in waste management. However, specific local conditions, including nest and dump sizes, nest-dump distances and abiotic conditions are relevant and overlooked, especially for non-leaf-cutting ants. We aimed to explore the natural history involved in Sericomyrmex mayri waste management. Hence, we documented the relationships between 1) the foraging rate and waste removal activities with dump size, 2) the size of refuse dumps and their distance from nest entrances, and 3) the foraging activity and the rate of waste disposal with climatic conditions. The study was developed in the Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil, wherein 33 colonies’ activities were monitored for three consecutive days, during different day-periods. More prominent dumps received less waste and were located at further distances from the nest. Additionally, daily temperature and humidity positively influenced waste disposal and foraging activities, respectively. These findings provide information on how dump size and distance from the nest may define the investment of waste management of non-leaf-cutting ants.

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Dump size and distance from the nest define the investment in waste management in Sericomyrmex mayri (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini)

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Published

2020-06-29

How to Cite

Bitar, M. R., Antonini, Y., Lopes, V. L., Cristiano, M. P., Lima, A. U. N., & Costa, F. V. (2020). Dump size and distance from the nest define the investment in waste management in Sericomyrmex mayri (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini). Ecología Austral, 30(2), 199–204. https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.20.30.2.0.1036

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 2 (2020): August 2020. Pages 175-330

Section

Short Communications

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Copyright (c) 2020 Marília R. Bitar, Yasmine Antonini, Vitor L. Lopes, Maykon P. Cristiano, Aline U. N. Lima, Fernanda V. Costa

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