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Acquisition of water from soil by the meat-ant,Iridomyrmex purpureus (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Wasseraufnahme aus dem Boden durchIridomyrmex purpureus (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

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Summary

Under laboratory conditions, meat ants can extract significant amounts of water from sand with 2% or 4% water content, or from nest soil with 4% water content, at a relatively modest metabolic cost. The biological significance of this ability is discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Unter Laborbedingungen können Ameisen der Gattung Iridomyrmex eine signifikante Menge Wasser mit relativ geringem Aufwand aus sand mit 2% bis 4% Wassergehalt oder aus Nestboden mit 4% Wassergehalt extrahieren. Die biologische Bedeutung dieser Fähigkeit wird diskutiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Monash University, 3168, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    George Ettershank

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  1. George Ettershank
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Ettershank, G. Acquisition of water from soil by the meat-ant,Iridomyrmex purpureus (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ins. Soc 25, 31–38 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224483

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224483

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