Summary
The spatial pattern of escalated aggression is examined in the antLeptothorax allardycei. A total of 973 aggressive interactions were observed, categorized according to the level of aggression achieved and the type of nearby brood. Aggression is more likely to occur in the presence of brood, and escalated aggression is most likely to occur in the presence of the eggs. A model for the decision involved in the initiation of aggression and its subsequent escalation is presented.
Resume
On étudie le modèle spatial de l'escalade de l'agression chez la FourmiLeptothorax allardycei. 973 interactions agressives furent observées, puis classées en fonction du niveau d'agression et en rapport avec les types de couvain présent. L'agression est plus probable en présence du couvain qu'en l'absence de celui-ci, et une escalade de l'agression se montre encore plus probable en présence des œufs. Un schéma présente l'enchaînement des décisions impliquées dans le commencement de l'agression et dans son escalade consécutive.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cole B.J., 1981.—Dominance hierarchies inLeptothorax ants.Science, 221, 83–84.
Cole B.J., 1986.—Social behavior ofLeptothorax allardycei: time budgets and the evolution of worker reproduction.Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 18, 165–173.
Cole B.J., 1988.—Individual differences amongLeptothorax workers: movement and space use. Int:Interindividual differences in social insect behavior. In press, RL Jeanne, editor.
Free J.B., 1955.—The division of labour within bumblebee colonies.Ins. Soc., 2, 195–212.
Jeanne R.L., 1972.—Social biology of the neotropical waspMischocyttarus drewseni.Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., Harvard Univ.,144, 63–150.
Pardi L., 1948.—Dominance order inPolistes wasps.Physiol. Zool., 21, 1–13.
Parker G.A., 1984.—Evolutionarily stable strategies. In:Behavioral Ecology: an evolutionary approach. JR Krebs and NB Davies editors.
West Eberhard M.J., 1969.—The social biology of polistine wasps.Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool., Univ. of Michigan,140, 141 pp.
West Eberhard M.J., 1977.—The establishment of reproductive dominance in social wasp colonies.Proc. 8th Intl. Congress Intl. Union for the study of social insects. Wageningen, the Netherlands, 223–227.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cole, B.J. Escalation of aggression inLeptothorax ants. Ins. Soc 35, 198–205 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223933
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223933