Abstract

FARJI-BRENER, Alejandro G; DE TORRES CURTH, Mónica I; CASANOVAS, Paula V  and  NAIM, Pablo N. Demographic consequences of the nesting site in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex lobicornis: a matrix model approach. Ecol. austral [online]. 2003, vol.13, n.2, pp.183-194. ISSN 1667-782X.

We used matrix population models to explore how the characteristics of the nesting site, which determine different kind of ant-nest mounds, affect the population dynamics of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex lobicornis in north-western Patagonia. The annual growth rate for ant-nests with mounds built at the base of plants was 100% higher than for the nests with mounds built on bare ground. This high growth rate of mounds constructed on plants was due to the rapid increase of small mounds, and to the reduced size reduction of large mounds. Nests established at the base of plants use stems as a structural support for the mound, making them easier to build, maintain and repair after disturbances. Nesting at the base of plants thus reduces the duration of the more vulnerable nest stages (small mounds), and increases the duration of larger mounds, which are the most sexually productive nest stage. The management of nest-mounds built at the base of plants may help to control or preserve this leafcutting ant species.

Keywords : Elasticity analysis; Demography; Nests; Patagonia.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )