Foraging activity and diet composition were studied in two of the most abundant leaf-cutting ants in a subtropical dry woodland of the Argentinean Chaco, Acromyrmex striatus and Acromyrmex hispidus. Plant abundance, items on offer (leaf types, flower and fruit) and chemical/physical defenses were obtained. Both ant species have strong foraging preferences, harvesting a few woody species. A. striatus has a opportunistic strategy, harvesting in relation to the abundance of preferred plant species; A. hispidus is more selective. Preferences of workers are strongly related to the chemical and physical plant defenses. A. striatus is active in summer, spring and autumn, A. hispidus has foraging activity only in summer and autumn. In summer A. striatus shows a great diet diversity, whereas A. hispidus selects young leaves and fruits. Leaf-cutting ants are the most important herbivores in the dry Chaco. Their role in the development of plant defenses is discussed. -from English summary
Documento: | Artículo |
Título: | Foraging patterns in two sympatric leaf-cutting ants species (Attini, Acromyrmex) in a subtropical dry forest |
Autor: | Farji Brener, A.G.; Protomastro, J. |
Filiación: | Dpto. Biologia, FCE y N. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires (1428), Argentina, Argentina |
Palabras clave: | ant; antiherbivore defence; foraging behaviour; leaf-cutter ant; Argentina; Chaco; Acromyrmex hispidus; Acromyrmex striatus |
Año: | 1992 |
Volumen: | 5 |
Número: | 1 |
Página de inicio: | 32 |
Página de fin: | 43 |
Título revista: | Ecotropicos |
ISSN: | 10121692 |
Registro: | https://bibliotecadigital.exactas.uba.ar/collection/paper/document/paper_10121692_v5_n1_p32_FarjiBrener |