15 research outputs found
Comunicazione di allarme in Formica cunicularia (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): effetto del contesto ambientale sulle risposte comportamentali.
No full textThe defensive behaviour of two Formica slave-ant species: coevolutive implications with their parasite P. rufescens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
No full textThe cooperative defence in ant societies is a suitable system that can keep the integrity of the colonies from threats represented by competitors, predators and parasites. This is due to the presence of a well-organized alarm communication system that induces defensive behaviours.
Alarm reaction of Formica cunicularia and F. rufibarbis ant species was investigated by means of laboratory tests presenting different kinds of threatening stimuli (ants from alien colonies, homospecific and heterospecific) to colony fragments. Results show that both species react to a
potential threat to the colony with an aggressive alarm instead of a panic alarm, characterized by a prompt exit of workers from the nest, attraction towards the stimulus and aggressive behaviours. Moreover they seem to feature the phenomenon of the ‘Enemy Specification’ towards their obligate parasite Polyergus rufescens. This could be considered as a result of a reciprocal adaptation between host and parasite. Furthermore, the comparison between the alarm reaction of the two studied species shows that F. rufibarbis seems to be more aggressive than F. cunicularia towards the parasite; this result could add a further clarification about the preference of the parasite towards F. cunicularia as host species
The chemical alarm system of Formica cunicularia (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): glandular sources and context-dependent reactions
No full textSexual attraction in the obligate slave-making ant Polyergus rufescens: a multidisciplinary approach.
No full textLa comunicazione di allarme in Formica cunicularia (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): sorgenti dei segnali, reazioni comportamentali e importanza del contesto
No full textIl parassitismo sociale in Polyergus rufescens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): nuove prospettive sulla coevoluzione ospite-parassita.
No full textLa reazione di allarme in due specie simpatriche del genere Formica (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
No full textPreliminary observations on the alarm behaviour of two sympatric species of the genus Formica (Hymenoptera Formicidae).
No full textGlandular sources of alarm pheromones in the ant Formica rufibarbis (Hymenoptera Formicidae)
No full textThe alarm behaviour of the ant Formica rufibarbis was investigated by laboratory bioassays in which different exocrine glandular secretions were tested. This was done in order to identify glandular sources of the alarm pheromones involved. Experiments revealed that poison and mandibular glands play an important role in this context. Thus, F. rufibarbis seems to adopt a multisource alarm communication system, in which secretions from more than one glandular system are employed. However, a multicomponent alarm system, in which alarm communication is regulated by more than one substance (each with a different volatility), can not be excluded. Results are discussed also in the light of the important role this species plays in host-parasite relationships with other ants
