Reassessing the Role of Fallen Branches as Part of Leaf-Cutting

HUGO MOGOLLON; FARJI-BRENER, ALEJANDRO GUSTAVO

SOCIOBIOLOGY

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIV

Lugar: California; Año: 2009 vol. 53 p. 499 - 504

0361-6525

We analyzed the role of fallen branches as part of trunk trails in the leafcutting ant Atta cephalotes. Laden ants walked faster along a fallen branch than along trails, but were slower when ascending or descending a fallen branch. When this delay is included, the estimation of the reduction of travel time at the colony level drops up to 60% with respect to earlier measurements. To maximize foraging efficiency, leaf-cutting ants should select long fallen branches.Atta cephalotes. Laden ants walked faster along a fallen branch than along trails, but were slower when ascending or descending a fallen branch. When this delay is included, the estimation of the reduction of travel time at the colony level drops up to 60% with respect to earlier measurements. To maximize foraging efficiency, leaf-cutting ants should select long fallen branches.