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Experimental evidence that increased surface temperature affects bioturbation by ants.

Fátima García Ibarra1, Pascal Jouquet1,2, Nicolas Bottinelli1,3

  • 1Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (UMR7618), Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Est Créteil, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Paris, France.

The Journal of Animal Ecology
|December 28, 2023
PubMed
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Ants adjust their nest architecture in response to rising temperatures, digging deeper to maintain optimal conditions. This behavioral plasticity influences soil structure and porosity.

Keywords:
Lasius nigerX-ray tomographyant nest architecturebioturbationglobal warminghigh temperature

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Soil Science

Background:

  • Ants are crucial soil bioturbators, influencing soil structure through nest construction.
  • As ectotherms, ants are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, potentially impacting their behavior and survival.
  • Nest architecture is recognized as an extended functional trait, adaptable to environmental changes like warming.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how ant nest architecture functions as a trait sensitive to temperature.
  • To determine the effects of varying surface temperatures on ant nest construction and soil bioturbation.
  • To test the hypothesis that ants will build deeper nests and alter chamber layouts under increased temperatures.

Main Methods:

  • 17 young Lasius niger ant colonies excavated nests in soil columns over 100 days.
  • Three surface temperature conditions (mild, medium, high) were applied.
  • Nest architecture (depth, chamber volume, tunnels) was analyzed using weekly soil excavation measurements and X-ray scans; colony growth and worker size were also recorded.

Main Results:

  • Ant colonies adapted to temperature, with medium and high-temperature groups building larger and deeper nests.
  • Nests under high temperatures featured deeper chambers and refilled upper chambers compared to medium and mild conditions.
  • Colony growth was reduced under mild temperatures, but worker size remained consistent across treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Ants modify nest depth and chamber location in response to elevated surface temperatures.
  • Nest architecture serves as a flexible, extended phenotype that allows ants to cope with thermal stress.
  • Changes in ant nest architecture under warming conditions have significant implications for soil porosity and bioturbation.