On the production ecology of Lasius niger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in successive coastal dune valleys

(1) The production ecology of the monogynous ant Lasius niger L. was investigated for three populations in dune valleys of different age; the populations differed with respect to colony density, interspecific competition, and resources available per ant worker. (2) Colony density, worker headwidth,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of animal ecology 1982-01, Vol.51 (3), p.975-991
Main Authors: Boomsma, J.J, Lee, G.A. van der, Have, T.M. van der
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal ecology
Ants
Colonies
Dunes
Formicidae
Insect colonies
Insect ecology
Investment analysis
Lasius niger
Queen insects
Social insects
Worker insects
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Summary:(1) The production ecology of the monogynous ant Lasius niger L. was investigated for three populations in dune valleys of different age; the populations differed with respect to colony density, interspecific competition, and resources available per ant worker. (2) Colony density, worker headwidth, and production of sexuals were maximal in immature dune grasslands, at levels just above the dune slack vegetation. (3) Worker headwidth and queen production were reduced by the presence of Lasius flavus F., but male production was unaffected. (4) Correlations between the production of sexuals and nearest neighbour distance or worker number per colony, also appeared to be dependent on the presence of L. flavus. (5) Population means of queen investment frequencies per colony were found to be 0.75 and 0.50 in the absence and presence of a dense L. flavus population, which equals investment ratios of 3: 1 and 1: 1, respectively. (6) Queen investment frequencies were further analysed as functions of colony production and worker headwidth. (7) The results are compared with literature data on the sexual production of L. flavus and Tetramorium caespitum L.; some methodological questions are also briefly discussed.
ISSN:0021-8790
1365-2656
DOI:10.2307/4017