2019/08/27 by Sarahi Arellano, Fazzio, Francisca C., Huesby, Cal J. +1
#ants #dietary preference #optimal foraging theory #role specialization
paper · doi:10.21973/n3g95n
Resource management is necessary for the success of a species. Optimal foraging theory states that a species will attempt to minimize the energy spent obtaining resources, whilst maximizing the resources collected. Optimal foraging theory can be examined through the lens of ant colony behavior. Formica obscuripes utilizes role specialization and resource partitioning in each colony to minimize its energy use while maximizing its nutrient reserve. However, nutrient preferences within roles have been largely unstudied. In this study, we examine foraging F. obscuripes to determine their resource foraging preference, and thus their contribution to colony nutritional needs. We performed choice trails at forty colonies between liquid lipids and simple carbohydrates between aphid-tending ants and mound-building ants to test their preferences. We found that at both locations ants chose simple carbohydrates over lipids, however, mound-building ants have a higher tendency to forage lipids than aphid-tending ants. Formica mound-building ants require more lipids because they perform high-energy tasks such as colony construction and defense. Lipids are conserved within mounds to limit the risk of losing valuable resources to predation or dehydration. Aphid-tending ants may consume fewer lipids due to their high mortality rates and prefer simple carbohydrates because of their ability to metabolize them quickly.