| Fight tactics in wood ants: individuals in smaller groups fight harder but die faster. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21389029 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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When social animals engage in inter-group contests, the outcome is determined by group sizes and individual masses, which together determine group resource-holding potential ('group RHP'). Individuals that perceive themselves as being in a group with high RHP may receive a motivational increase and increase their aggression levels. Alternatively, individuals in lower RHP groups may increase their aggression levels in an attempt to overcome the RHP deficit. We investigate how 'group RHP' influences agonistic tactics in red wood ants Formica rufa. Larger groups had higher total agonistic indices, but per capita agonistic indices were highest in the smallest groups, indicating that individuals in smaller groups fought harder. Agonistic indices were influenced by relative mean mass, focal group size, opponent group size and opponent group agonistic index. Focal group attrition rates decreased as focal group relative agonistic indices increased and there was a strong negative influence of relative mean mass. The highest focal attrition rates were received when opponent groups were numerically large and composed of large individuals. Thus, fight tactics in F. rufa seem to vary with both aspects of group RHP, group size and the individual attributes of group members, indicating that information on these are available to fighting ants. |
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Authors:
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Tim P Batchelor; Mark Briffa |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2011-03-09 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society Volume: 278 ISSN: 1471-2954 ISO Abbreviation: Proc. Biol. Sci. Publication Date: 2011 Nov |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-09-28 Completed Date: 2012-01-13 Revised Date: 2013-02-19 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101245157 Medline TA: Proc Biol Sci Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 3243-50 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK. tim_batch@hotmail.com |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Agonistic Behavior
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physiology* Animals Ants / physiology* Behavior, Animal / physiology* Body Size England Female Group Processes* Linear Models Mortality Population Density Social Behavior* |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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F014147/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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