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Intraspecific aggression in the difficult ant, Technomyrmex difficilis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Title
Intraspecific aggression in the difficult ant, Technomyrmex difficilis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Creator
Sollins, Benjamin H., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description
One mechanism allowing ant species to successfully invade new areas at a rapid pace is unicoloniality, the formation of large networks connecting colonies over hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. These large networks of colonies, or "supercolonies" lack any form of intraspecific aggression, thus fighting between them is absent. I used aggression assays to study unicoloniality between colonies of the invasive difficult ant, Technomyrmex difficilis on the Florida Atlantic University...
Show moreOne mechanism allowing ant species to successfully invade new areas at a rapid pace is unicoloniality, the formation of large networks connecting colonies over hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. These large networks of colonies, or "supercolonies" lack any form of intraspecific aggression, thus fighting between them is absent. I used aggression assays to study unicoloniality between colonies of the invasive difficult ant, Technomyrmex difficilis on the Florida Atlantic University Wilkes Honors College campus and a household located ~32 km northwest from the college. I found that for all trial combinations, no aggression took place among the ants. From these results, I conclude that T. difficilis does display unicoloniality in South Florida.
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Date Issued
2010
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3335456
Subject Headings
Technomyrmex difficilis, Ants, Behavior, Insect colonies, Predation (Biology)
Format
Document (PDF)
Intraspecific aggression in the brown rover ant, Brachymyrmex obscurior
Title
Intraspecific aggression in the brown rover ant, Brachymyrmex obscurior.
Creator
Ruddock, Whitney A., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description
Invasive ant species often show unicoloniality, forming networks of connected colonies (i.e. supercolonies), which may extend hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. These "supercolonies" lack intraspecific aggression, thus fighting between colonies is absent. Unicoloniality may be an adaptive mechanism that allows for invasive ant species to reach higher population density and achieve ecological dominance. We used aggression assays to study unicoloniality within and between colonies of the...
Show moreInvasive ant species often show unicoloniality, forming networks of connected colonies (i.e. supercolonies), which may extend hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. These "supercolonies" lack intraspecific aggression, thus fighting between colonies is absent. Unicoloniality may be an adaptive mechanism that allows for invasive ant species to reach higher population density and achieve ecological dominance. We used aggression assays to study unicoloniality within and between colonies of the invasive brown rover ant, Brachymyrmex obscurior on the Florida Atlantic University campus in Jupiter, FL. We found that the four B. obscurior colonies could be behaviorally divided into two areas: workers from both colonies in either region never showed intraspecific aggression while workers from colonies in opposing areas always showed intraspecific aggression, often fighting to the death. Thus, B. obscurior appears to show very localized unicoloniality, with neighboring colonies forming small supercolonies.
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Date Issued
2008
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/77685
Subject Headings
Ants, Behavior, Insect societies, Predation (Biology)
Format
Document (PDF)
influence of public access on raccoon predation on sea turtle nests in Boca Raton, Florida
Title
The influence of public access on raccoon predation on sea turtle nests in Boca Raton, Florida.
Creator
VanDam, Andrea., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description
In the Eastern United States, the Florida coastline provides 85% of all nesting sites for the green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles. Palm Beach County beaches experience some of the highest nesting frequencies, but recreational use of the beaches has increased threats like raccoon predation. The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (GLNC) in Boca Raton (founded in 1984) keeps records of nests and predators to the nests. I analyzed 4554...
Show moreIn the Eastern United States, the Florida coastline provides 85% of all nesting sites for the green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles. Palm Beach County beaches experience some of the highest nesting frequencies, but recreational use of the beaches has increased threats like raccoon predation. The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (GLNC) in Boca Raton (founded in 1984) keeps records of nests and predators to the nests. I analyzed 4554 GLNC nest records from 2002-2007 to examine whether raccoon predation of turtle nests was most prevalent in areas of high human impact. I found that raccoon predation occurred at significantly higher rates in areas with public access to the beach than in areas without such access (high access: 50.8%, low access: 14.4%, overall: 36.4%). This suggests the necessity of increased protection of nests in areas of high access for the preservation of nesting populations.
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Date Issued
2008
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/77697
Subject Headings
Predation (Biology), Sea turtles, Mortality, Wildlife conservation
Format
Document (PDF)
Diet-based defensive secretions in harvestmen
Title
Diet-based defensive secretions in harvestmen.
Creator
Whitaker, Graham., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description
Harvestmen are known to secrete a wide range of defensive chemicals in order to protect themselves from predators. An earlier study examined the phylogenetic pattern of defensive secretions produced by 22 species of harvestmen. This research, however, assumed that there is a genetic link between the defensive secretions. I wished to determine whether harvestmen defensive secretions may be diet-based by introducing several irritants into their food and then testing their secretions in the same...
Show moreHarvestmen are known to secrete a wide range of defensive chemicals in order to protect themselves from predators. An earlier study examined the phylogenetic pattern of defensive secretions produced by 22 species of harvestmen. This research, however, assumed that there is a genetic link between the defensive secretions. I wished to determine whether harvestmen defensive secretions may be diet-based by introducing several irritants into their food and then testing their secretions in the same manner. I performed a GC-MS analysis on 13 samples from the Vonones sp. But I found no initial GC-MS readings that showed this species of harvestmen to contain any irritants in their secretions. The absence of irritants does not allow any evaluation of whether harvestmen secretions are genetically or dietarily based.
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Date Issued
2007
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11596
Subject Headings
Opiliones, Identification, Arachnida, Physiology, Predation (Biology)
Format
Document (PDF)