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Nest architecture of Pachycondyla striata Fr. Smith, 1858 (Formicidae, Ponerinae)

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Abstract

Nine nests of Pachycondyla striata Fr. Smith, 1858 were excavated between 2006 and 2007 at the UNESP university campus in Rio Claro, SP, southeastern Brazil. The P. striata population was larger in the two nests excavated in the months of August and November, 2006. The nests of this species are simple and poorly elaborated, with chambers and tunnels close to the ground surface. P. striata places the pupae in chambers isolated from the other individuals. The lack of chambers with the specific purpose of conditioning food and garbage underscores the simplicity of these nests.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Poliana B. Arantes for assistance during field work, to Jaime R. Somera for the illustrations, and to Dr. Sulene N. Shima and Dr. José Chaud Netto of the University Estadual Paulista—UNESP, Dr. William F. Antonialli-Jr of the University Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul—UEMS, Howard-Peter K. Davies as well as the reviewers for comments and suggestions of the manuscript.

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  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-São Paulo State University, 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil

    A. da Silva-Melo

  2. Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-São Paulo State University, 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil

    E. Giannotti

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  1. A. da Silva-Melo
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  2. E. Giannotti
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Correspondence to A. da Silva-Melo.

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da Silva-Melo, A., Giannotti, E. Nest architecture of Pachycondyla striata Fr. Smith, 1858 (Formicidae, Ponerinae). Insect. Soc. 57, 17–22 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-009-0043-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-009-0043-z

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