Response to a change in the target nest during ant relocation.

Abstract

Decisions regarding spatial and temporal choices pertaining to a wide range of activities such as mating, feeding and resting are necessary for all organisms. Social species encounter another level of complexity, wherein inputs from multiple individuals have to be consolidated to yield a consensus. One platform on which decision making can be examined is the relocation of animal societies. Relocation is the process by which organisms move from their old dwelling to a new nest along with all the inhabitants. This exposes them to the elements and thus impacts their survival and reproduction. Diacamma indicum, the model system for our experiments is a ponerine ant that uses tandem running for colony relocation. In the present study an artificial manipulation was performed to cause a shift in the target nest. The flexibility of the relocation process and, more specifically, the response of tandem leaders to a changed target were studied. A majority of these leaders (N=262) not only re-evaluated and adapted to the change, but did so with negligible error (1.65%). This enabled colonies (N=10) to reunite at the target nest in every case. The only cost to this flexible decision making was paid in terms of additional time. Although considered to be a primitive method of recruitment, we reveal that tandem running allows D. indicum leaders to incorporate assessment of the available options at every step. This inherent flexibility in decision making would be a good strategy for organisms that need to function with incomplete information or inhabit environments that change frequently.