The journey of tandem running: the twists, turns and what we have learned

Tandem running, whereby one worker recruits another is utilised by many ant species. Since first being recorded, it has provided a valuable experimental tool for testing hypotheses about collective decision making, communication and even teaching. In this review I explore the journey tandem running has taken, the twists and turns in the theories surrounding it and what tandem running has taught us. This review examines the empirical research conducted on tandem running, from when it was first described, considers the theories that have arisen from that research and ultimately what has been learnt and what is still yet to be explored.