Abstract
The majority of ants construct nests underground to maintain environmental conditions favorable to the development of immature and adult individuals. But little is known about nest growth. Thus, we studied the growth of nests of the leaf-cutting ants Atta bisphaerica Forel 1908 and Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel 1908 from foundation until the appearance of a second chamber. To this end, we verified the measurements of the chamber recently constructed by the queen and monitored the dimensions of its enlargement in the initial phase of nest development . The nests were marked in nuptial flight, in 2007, with 40 nests of each species being dug at 45, 90, 135, 180 and 225 days afterward. As a result, a semi-spherical format was verified in both species in the initial chamber, and throughout the process of enlargement the chamber came to present a spherical aspect. The chamber size increased along with nest age, especially its height and, consequently, depth. In A. bisphaerica the height rose 2.7 cm and the depth increased 4.4 cm, from foundation to the age of 225 days. For A. sexdens rubropilosa the respective height and depth increases were 1.3 cm and 3.8 cm, up to 225 days. In both species, construction of the second chamber began 135 days after nest foundation. These results are new and add to information on the growth of leaf-cutting ant nests.
Highlights
Most ant species construct their nests underground, which promotes protection for the colony and aids in the maintenance of environmental conditions, facilitating the development of immature and adult individuals (Hölldobler & Wilson, 1990)
Due to the scarcity of biological information on nests of Atta species in their first year of life, the present paper studied the growth and morphology of nests in two species which exhibit contrasting adaptations: Atta bisphaerica Forel 1908, which nests in full sun and foraging predominantly grasses, and Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel 1908, which nests in shaded places and forages dicots (Mariconi, 1970; Fowler et al, 1986; Nagamoto et al, 2009)
The initial chamber depth significantly differed between the ant species, with A. bisphaerica showing deeper chambers than A. sexdens rubropilosa
Summary
Most ant species construct their nests underground, which promotes protection for the colony and aids in the maintenance of environmental conditions, facilitating the development of immature and adult individuals (Hölldobler & Wilson, 1990). 1805 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) the adult nests are formed by numerous interconnected chambers, reaching several meters in depth, with deposition of soil on the surface, forming a pile of loose soil (Gonçalves, 1960; Araújo & Della Lucia, 1997). Such chambers may present variations in format, localization and dimensions depending on the species and function (fungus, waste and soil) (Moreira, 2001). Despite such knowledge, little is known about the initial growth of nests formed by this genus.
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