| The twilight zone: ambient light levels trigger activity in primitive ants. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20129978 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Many animals become active during twilight, a narrow time window where the properties of the visual environment are dramatically different from both day and night. Despite the fact that many animals including mammals, reptiles, birds and insects become active in this specific temporal niche, we do not know what cues trigger this activity. To identify the onset of specific temporal niches, animals could anticipate the timing of regular events or directly measure environmental variables. We show that the Australian bull ant, Myrmecia pyriformis, starts foraging only during evening twilight throughout the year. The onset occurs neither at a specific temperature nor at a specific time relative to sunset, but at a specific ambient light intensity. Foraging onset occurs later when light intensities at sunset are brighter than normal or earlier when light intensities at sunset are darker than normal. By modifying ambient light intensity experimentally, we provide clear evidence that ants indeed measure light levels and do not rely on an internal rhythm to begin foraging. We suggest that the reason for restricting the foraging onset to twilight and measuring light intensity to trigger activity is to optimize the trade-off between predation risk and ease of navigation. |
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Authors:
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Ajay Narendra; Samuel F Reid; Jan M Hemmi |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2010-02-03 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society Volume: 277 ISSN: 1471-2954 ISO Abbreviation: Proc. Biol. Sci. Publication Date: 2010 May |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-04-13 Completed Date: 2010-08-03 Revised Date: 2011-07-28 |
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: 1531-8 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science and Centre for Visual Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. ajay.narendra@anu.edu.au |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Ants / physiology* Behavior, Animal / physiology Biological Clocks Cues* Feeding Behavior / physiology* Light* Predatory Behavior Seasons |
| Comments/Corrections | |
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