Active modification of cavity nest‐entrances is a common strategy in arboreal ants

• DOI: 10.1111/btp.12922
• Publication Date: 2021-03-02T09:41:06Z
• Authors: Galen V. Priest; Flávio Camarota; Heraldo L. Vascon...; Scott Powell; Robert J. Marquis
• Keywords: Arboreal locomotion; Tree (set theory)

Abstract The majority of tropical arboreal ant species nest in tree cavities. These cavities, often produced initially by wood‐boring beetles, can be live or dead wood and represent long‐lasting highly defensible nesting resources. Yet the size cavity entrances constrain their use. Active entrance modification may an effective way to overcome this constraint. Here, we conduct first systematic study nest‐entrance community. Using field experiments deployed across a number species, show that 14% 2631 experimental cavities were modified either enlargement, reducing construction. Entrance modifications, which made (18/29 species) occupied nests, used variety construction techniques materials. Combined, these modifications context‐dependent with respect available sizes: Enlargement was more common when diversity sizes limited, whereas reduction prevalent higher. Nevertheless, context identity did not significantly influence Overall, is widespread, active, strategy ecology ants.