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The journey of tandem running: the twists, turns and what we have learned

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An Erratum to this article was published on 11 December 2013

Abstract

Tandem running, whereby one worker recruits another is utilised by many ant species. Since first being recorded, it has provided a valuable experimental tool for testing hypotheses about collective decision making, communication and even teaching. In this review I explore the journey tandem running has taken, the twists and turns in the theories surrounding it and what tandem running has taught us. This review examines the empirical research conducted on tandem running, from when it was first described, considers the theories that have arisen from that research and ultimately what has been learnt and what is still yet to be explored.

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Acknowledgments

I want to thank Professor Nigel Franks, Dr Daphna Gottlieb and Norasmah Basari in the ant lab, University of Bristol for their thought provoking debates and comments which enabled me to develop my own conclusions presented in this review. I also want to give special thanks to Dr Liz Langridge for her thorough and thought provoking review and Duncan Bates and Tom Unsworth for their assistance with proofing.

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  1. School of Applied Sciences, Bournemouth University, Christchurch House, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, UK

    E. L. Franklin

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Franklin, E.L. The journey of tandem running: the twists, turns and what we have learned. Insect. Soc. 61, 1–8 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-013-0325-3

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