Abstract
The reuse of nests by the same or different species can save a colony energy and resources. Furthermore, it can increase colony growth and the production of brood. The queenless ant Dinoponera quadriceps builds deep nests in Caatinga to escape from the dry and hot environment. The reuse of deep nests from other species can provide D. quadriceps with protection from high temperature, whilst saving on the energy required to build new nests. Here, we present the first finding of D. quadriceps reusing the nest of Atta sexdens species.
Highlights
The queenless ant Dinoponera quadriceps (Formicidae: Ponerinae) is distributed throughout northeastern Brazil (Paiva & Brandão, 1995; Lenhart et al, 2013) in the Caatinga biome
The hot and arid conditions found in the natural range of D. quadriceps require them to dig deep nests, often over 3m in depth, with as many as 16 chambers below, but with a single entrance (Vasconcelos et al, 2004)
The foundation of a new nest occurs via colony fission (Paiva & Brandão, 1995; Monnin & Peeters, 1998), as the new gamergate and several workers search for a suitable location to establish a new nest (Medeiros & Araújo, 2014)
Summary
The queenless ant Dinoponera quadriceps (Formicidae: Ponerinae) is distributed throughout northeastern Brazil (Paiva & Brandão, 1995; Lenhart et al, 2013) in the Caatinga biome. Dinoponera quadriceps are predominantly predators, but solitary individuals forage small fruits (Araújo & Rodrigues, 2006). Their body size can vary from 3-4cm (Paiva & Brandão, 1995).
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