Summary
The CO2 production of worker ants — at rest and during running — was measured at room temperature. The mean ratio (±SD) between the respiratory rate during running and at rest was 7.2±1.8. Using distance covered, fresh weight, and metabolism for the individual worker ant, net cost of transport was calculated. This value varied between 601.1 and 2,181.7 J g−1km−1, which corresponds well with equivalent figures for vertebrates and a previously published equation for mammals relating live body weight and energetic cost of running. Consequently, the latter relationship is anticipated to be of a general nature, as it holds for animals over several orders of magnitude of body weights. The ecological implications of the present findings may be important. The high respiratory rate of running worker ants should be considered when estimating total population metabolism.
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Jensen, T.F., Holm-Jensen, I. Energetic cost of running in workers of three ant species,Formica fusca L.,Formica rufa L., andCamponotus herculeanus L. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). J Comp Physiol B 137, 151–156 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689214
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689214