Prey choice and raiding behaviour of the Ponerine ant Pachycondyla analis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Termite raiding behaviour of the African poneromorph ant Pachycondyla analis was studied at Mpala, Kenya. In all, 330 raids were observed with the raiding activity showing peaks in the morning and evening. Time spent at the termite source was positively correlated with the numbers of termites taken....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of natural history 2014-02, Vol.48 (5-6), p.345-358
Main Authors: Yusuf, A. A, Gordon, I, Crewe, R. M, Pirk, C. W.W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
correlation
energy costs
foraging
foraging behaviour
Formicidae
Hymenoptera
Isoptera
Macrotermitinae
Matabele ants
Microtermes
Odontotermes
Pachycondyla
Pachycondyla analis
poneromorph
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Termite raiding behaviour of the African poneromorph ant Pachycondyla analis was studied at Mpala, Kenya. In all, 330 raids were observed with the raiding activity showing peaks in the morning and evening. Time spent at the termite source was positively correlated with the numbers of termites taken. The sizes of foraging parties, number of termites taken, distance travelled and time spent at termite sources also showed a positive correlation. Pachycondyla analis preyed significantly more on Microtermes spp. than they did on Odontotermes spp. but no significant differences were found in terms of predator efficiency even though many ants were injured in raids on Odontotermes spp. compared with those on Microtermes spp. Our results indicate that P. analis seems to forage optimally, balancing the costs of energy with prey reward and prey choices were not only influenced by prey abundance, but also by the costs of foraging, as influenced by prey defences, size and foraging behaviour.
ISSN:1464-5262
0022-2933
1464-5262
DOI:10.1080/00222933.2013.791931