A5060606245- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
- Children's Physical and Motor Development
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Diverse Educational Innovations Studies
- Soil and Unsaturated Flow
- Soil Moisture and Remote Sensing
- Geophysical Methods and Applications
University of Würzburg
2015-2024
Google (United States)
2023
Fundación Ciencias Exactas y Naturales
1993-1996
University of Buenos Aires
1988-1995
Long-term behavioral changes related to learning and experience have been shown be associated with structural remodeling in the brain. Leaf-cutting ants learn avoid previously preferred plants after they proved harmful for their symbiotic fungus, a process that involves long-term olfactory memory. We studied dynamics of brain microarchitectural memory formation following avoidance Acromyrmex ambiguus. After performing experiments control possible neuronal age body size, we quantified...
Leafcutter ants propagate co-evolving fungi for food. The nearly 50 species of leafcutter (Atta, Acromyrmex) range from Argentina to the United States, with greatest diversity in southern South America. We elucidate biogeography cultivated by using DNA sequence and microsatellite-marker analyses 474 cultivars collected across range. Fungal belong two clades (Clade-A Clade-B). dominant widespread Clade-A form three genotype clusters, their relative prevalence corresponding America, northern...
The extraordinary success of social insects is partially based on division labour, i.e. individuals exclusively or preferentially perform specific tasks. Task preference may correlate with morphological adaptations so implying task specialization, but the extent such specialization can be difficult to determine. Here, we demonstrate how physical foundation some tasks leveraged quantitatively link morphology and performance. We study allometry bite force capacity in
SUMMARY Previous investigations of haemolymph sugar levels in honeybees have reported very different results, probably because experimental conditions affected the activity animals. The present study investigated dependence foraging on metabolic rate and whether level is regulated. Free-flying bees were trained to collect controlled amounts sucrose solution concentrations (15%, 30% or 50% w/w). Immediately after feeding, was measured over a given time depending concentration, then...
Ants of the tribe Attini are characterized by their obligate cultivation symbiotic fungi. In addition to complex chemical communication system ants in general, substrate selection and fungus pose high demands on olfactory Attini. Indeed, behavioral studies have shown a rich diversity olfactory-guided behaviors tremendous odor sensitivity has been demonstrated. To allow fine-tuned responses, adaptations within expected. We compared number, volumes position glomeruli (functional units)...
Atta leaf-cutter ants are the prime herbivore in Neotropics: differently sized foragers harvest plant material to grow a fungus as crop. Efficient foraging involves complex interactions between worker size, task preferences and plant-fungus suitability; it is, however, ultimately constrained by ability of workers generate forces large enough cut vegetation. In order quantify this ability, we measured bite vollenweideri spanning more than one magnitude body mass. Maximum force scaled almost...
Leaf-cutting ants culture a mutualistic fungus for which they collect and process great diversity of fresh plant material as substrate. It has previously been observed that workers show "delayed rejection" behavior toward substrate is harmful the but not ants: initially accept such materials thereafter avoid its collection. In this study, we investigated delayed rejection natural leaves in several 2-choice experiments laboratory subcolonies Acromyrmex lundi. We experimentally manipulated...
Background Acquisition of information about food sources is essential for animals that forage collectively like social insects. Foragers deliver two commodities to the nest, and information, they may favor delivery one at expenses other. We predict needs should be particularly high beginning foraging: decision return faster nest will motivate a grass-cutting ant worker reduce its loading time, so leave source with partial load. Principal Findings Field results showed initial foraging phase,...
Many social insects display age polyethism: young workers stay inside the nest, and only older forage. This behavioural transition is accompanied by genetic physiological changes, but mechanistic origin of it remains unclear. To investigate if mechanical demands on musculoskeletal system effectively prevent from foraging, we studied biomechanical development bite apparatus in