eaf-cutting ants' critical and voluntary thermal limits show complex responses to size, heating rates, hydration level, and humidit

Author(s)

Lima, Cleverson ^{[1, 2]} ; Helene, Andre Frazao ^[1] ; Camacho, Agustin ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol, Inst Biociencias, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Kentucky, Coll Agr Food & Environm, Dept Entomol, Lexington, KY 40546 - USA

^[3] CSIC, Estn Biol Donana, Dept Evolutionary Ecol, 26 Americo Vespucio Av, Isla De La Cartuja 41029 - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL; v. 192, n. 2 NOV 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Thermal variation has complex effects on organisms and they respond to these effects through combined behavioral and physiological mechanisms. However, it is less clear how these traits combine in response to changes in body condition (e.g., size, hydration) and environmental factors that surround the heating process (e.g., relative humidity, start temperatures, heating rates). We tested whether these body conditions and environmental factors influence sequentially measured Voluntary Thermal Maxima (VTmax) and Critical Thermal Maxima, (CTmax) in leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens rubropilosa, Forel, 1908). VTmax and CTmax reacted differently to changes in body size and relative humidity, but exhibited similar responses to hydration level, start temperature, and heating rate. Strikingly, the VTmax of average-sized workers was closer to their CTmax than the VTmax of their smaller and bigger sisters, suggesting foragers maintain normal behavior at higher temperatures than sister ants that usually perform tasks within the colony. Previous experiments based on hot plate designs might overestimate ants' CTmax. VTmax and CTmax may respond concomitantly or not to temperature rises, depending on body condition and environmental factors. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/15754-8 - Ecogeographical consequences of evolution of the snake-like morphotype in squamates
• Grantee: Agustín Camacho Guerrero
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/15664-5 - Regulation of thermal tolerance in leafcutter ants
• Grantee: Cleverson de Sousa Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation