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Temperature limits trail following behaviour through pheromone decay in ants.
Louise van Oudenhove1, Elise Billoir, Raphaël Boulay
1Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon; Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France, louise@thomasvo.net
Die Naturwissenschaften
|November 1, 2011
Summary
High temperatures degrade ant pheromone trails, reducing foraging activity in dominant species like Tapinoma nigerrimum. This pheromone evaporation impacts recruitment in Mediterranean ant communities.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Behaviour
- Chemical Ecology
Background:
- Temperature significantly influences ant foraging and community dynamics in Mediterranean ecosystems.
- Dominant ant species typically forage at lower temperatures than subordinate species, but constraints in hot environments are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if high temperatures hinder the foraging behavior of the dominant ant Tapinoma nigerrimum by accelerating pheromone degradation.
- To test the hypothesis that pheromone trail efficacy is reduced at elevated temperatures.
Main Methods:
- Field observations documented foraging activity of T. nigerrimum at temperatures above 30°C.
- Laboratory experiments assessed the effect of high temperatures (25°C to 60°C) on pheromone trail following behavior.
- A mechanistic model, fitted with Bayesian inference, analyzed pheromone decay dynamics based on temperature and time.
Main Results:
- High temperatures (>30°C) significantly reduced T. nigerrimum foraging activity, irrespective of daily or seasonal rhythms.
- Ants failed to follow pheromone trails on substrates heated above 40°C, indicating accelerated pheromone degradation.
- Pheromone evaporation was identified as a factor affecting recruitment intensity at high temperatures.
Conclusions:
- High ambient temperatures directly impair ant foraging by accelerating pheromone degradation and reducing trail persistence.
- Dominant ant species relying heavily on chemical recruitment may be disproportionately affected by high temperatures in Mediterranean habitats.
- Understanding temperature-dependent pheromone dynamics is crucial for predicting ant community structure and function in warming environments.
