Journal
JOURNAL OF INSECT BEHAVIOR
Volume 14, Issue 5, Pages 637-657Publisher
SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
DOI: 10.1023/A:1012227318159
Keywords
tandem running; group recruitment; trail communication; invitation behavior; mechanical signals; chemical signals; trail pheromones
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
We present a detailed behavioral analysis of the signals involved in recruitment of 11 syntopic Polyrhachis species from West Malaysia. We found a considerable variety of recruitment techniques, including social carrying behavior, tandem running, group recruitment, and a technique which we call leader-independent trail communication. The latter mode superficially resembles chemical mass communication (sense Wilson, 1962). All these recruitment techniques involve mechanical invitation behavior inside the nest, comprising back-and-forth jerking or pulling movement often combined with a sideways waggling. However, not in all cases of leader-independent trail communication is a mechanical invitation behavior obligatory. The trail pheromone of all investigated Polyrhachis species originates from the hindgut. Only in the tandem running P. proxima do additional secretions from the poison gland appear to be involved in tandem calling.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available