Queen lipid content and nest growth in the leaf cutting ant (Atta sexdens rubropilosa) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Autor(es)

Camargo, Roberto da Silva ^[1] ; Forti, Luiz Carlos ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] UNESP, Fac Ciencias Agron, Dept Prod Vegetal, Lab Insetos Sociais Praga, BR-18603970 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Natural History; v. 47, n. 1-2, p. 65-73, JAN 1 2013.
• Citações Web of Science: 10

Resumo

The relationship between the queens' lipid content and nest growth (population size, biomass and nest architecture) was studied from founding up to 1year. Nests aged 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12months were dug in the field, and their dimensions were measured. The ant nest population and fungus garden was also collected. The sample was taken to the laboratory where we counted the worker population and weighed the biomass (fungus plus offspring) and queens. Queens were separated for the determination of lipids. The lipid content in the bodies of queens decreased in the first months, then stabilized (at 46months) before increasing in months 9 and 12. Nest biomass (symbiotic fungus and offspring) and worker population increased over time. The structural growth of the nests was observed by excavating around them. Initially nests (3months old) had one chamber at an average depth of 15cm. By 1year, the nests had three or four deep chambers, and were about 34m deep. Our study contributes to knowledge of the dynamics of the energy-reserve expenditure by queens during colony founding and colony development for up to 1year. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 07/04010-0 - Comportamento de escavação e construção dos ninhos das formigas cortadeiras
• Beneficiário: Roberto da Silva Camargo
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 07/07091-0 - Comportamento de escavação e construção dos ninhos das formigas cortadeiras
• Beneficiário: Luiz Carlos Forti
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular