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Specific patterns of excavation in isolated ants

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Summary

The tunnels dug by isolated worker ants [Myrmica ruginodis Nylander,M. scabrinodis Nylander,Formica lemani Bondroit,F. fusca L. andLasius niger (L.)] have been studied photographically. Although there was much variation within species, certain interspecific differences in tunnel shape appeared. The tunnels ofL. niger are more spreading, longer and more convoluted than those of the other species, and often branch beneath the surface. The tunnels ofM. scabrinodis show the same features to a smaller degree. The tunnels ofF. fusca andF. lemani are straight, unbranched and vertical.

Résumé

Nous avons étudié par un moyen photographique les tunnels que creusent les ouvrières isolées deMyrmica ruginodis Nyl.,M. scabrinodis Nyl.,Formica fusca L.,F. lemani Bondroit etLasius niger (L.). Quoiqu'il y ait une variation intraspécifique très importante, nous avons constaté plusieurs différences entre ces espèces. Les tunnels deL. niger sont plus longs, plus ramifiés et moins rectilignes que chez les autres espèces. Les tunnels deM. scabrinodis montrent les mêmes caractéristiques, mais d'une façon moins prononcée. Les tunnels deFormica fusca etF. lemani sont plus on moins verticaux et rectilignes et ne se divisent pas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, The University of Hull, Hull, England

    J. H. Sudd

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  1. J. H. Sudd
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Sudd, J.H. Specific patterns of excavation in isolated ants. Ins. Soc 17, 253–260 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224717

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