Video Experimental Relacionado

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

Published on: October 12, 2018

Resumen: Evolución del comportamiento especializado de seguimiento de hormigas en aves neotropicales

Juan J Lagos-Oviedo¹

¹Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg. Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution

|December 24, 2025

Abstract:

What factors explain the evolution of specialization in the ant-following behavior across Neotropical birds? By employing ancestral reconstructions and studying the morphofunctional space, Sweet et al. (2025) show that phylogenetic history, rather than functional traits, is the strongest predictor of ant-following specialization. Ant-following behavior showed several reversions but a strong tendency for transitions from facultative to obligate states. This study uncovers the relevance of shared ancestry and niche conservatism in governing the evolution of behavioral specialization.

Palabras clave:

seguimiento de hormigas aves neotropicales evolución del comportamiento especialización filogenia conservadurismo de nicho

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