scholarly journals Seasonal Patterns of the Foraging Ecology of Myrmelachista arthuri Forel, 1903 (Formicidae: Formicinae)

Sociobiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 237
Author(s):  
Gustavo Henrique Castro ◽  
Débora Yumi Kayano ◽  
Rodrigo Fernando Souza ◽  
Alexandre Wagner Hilsdorf ◽  
Rodrigo Machado Feitosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Forest Trees ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Neotropical Species ◽  
Generalist Diet ◽  
Worker Activity

Temporal dynamics of foraging activity, diet and habitat are key to understanding the bioecology of ants. These patterns are poorly studied in many Neotropical species, such as those belonging to genus Myrmelachista. In the present work, we investigate the foraging behavior and diet of M. arthuri and describe aspects of their food-searching behavior. We recorded the dynamics of workers exiting and entering nests built in the stems of native Atlantic forest trees during the cold/dry and warm/wet seasons. Food items carried by workers were also counted and identified. Myrmelachista arthuri foraged throughout the day, but worker activity became more intense as temperature increased and moisture declined, regardless of the season, and especially in the afternoon. This species had a generalist diet: 92% of the food items were live or dead arthropods or their remains, and a small proportion consisted of plant materials, such as seeds. Arthropod fragments, mostly of M. arthuri workers, represented the largest proportion of the diet, followed by whole Collembola individuals. Food items did not vary between seasons, the number of items was higher in the cold/dry season. The results of this work contribute to the understanding of M. arthuri biology, especially related to foraging dynamics.

An extensive study of the foraging ecology of beavers (Castor canadensis) in relation to habitat quality

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 922-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Gallant ◽  
C H Bérubé ◽  
E Tremblay ◽  
L Vasseur
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Castor Canadensis ◽  
Central Place ◽  
Foraging Theory ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Partial View ◽  
Selection Of

The objective of this study was to examine the foraging behaviour of the beaver (Castor canadensis Kuhl, 1820) and to explain its selection of terrestrial woody plant species according to central place foraging theory. Limitations in variety of food items in most studies with regard to size and (or) distance from the central place and information on availability of forage choices give a partial view of the subject. In this study, the theory is tested in a natural environment with high variability in food items with regard to these factors. Foraging choices by beavers were inspected by measuring variables on cut and uncut trees of every species encountered within 1 m of trail systems made by 25 beaver colonies in Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick, Canada, thereby quantifying the availability of the different food items. The effect of habitat quality (food availability) on the foraging behaviour of beavers was also tested. The results of this study suggest that with increasing distance from the pond, beavers in high-quality habitats selected fewer, but larger, trees and are more species selective. This selectivity was diminished in habitats of lower quality. The results of this study are consistent with the predictions of the central foraging theory.

Foraging and nest maintenance activity of the leafcutter ant Acromyrmex lobicornis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in an organic vineyard in the Monte desert of Mendoza, Argentina

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (04) ◽  
pp. 120-128
Author(s):  
Carla V. DAGATTI ◽  
Gabriela A. VARGAS
Keyword(s):  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Agricultural Pests ◽  
Maintenance Activity ◽  
Monte Desert ◽  
Acromyrmex Lobicornis ◽  
Nest Maintenance ◽  
Full Day ◽  
Positive Effect

Exclusive to the Neotropical region, leaf cutter ants are considered agricultural pests, although they can also have a positive effect on plants. In Mendoza vineyards, vegetal biodiversity is minimal, therefore they cut off this plant as a feeding resource. Acromyrmex lobicornis Emery it is mostly nocturnal and forages according to temperature. Foraging and maintenance activity was measured monthly in 14 colonies, throughout a full day at fourhour intervals, from October 2019 to March 2020. Acromyrmex lobicornis showed different seasonal patterns of foraging activity. Foraging intensity was highest throughout January and February, intermediate during December, and lowest in October and November. A bimodal feeding pattern was observed, foraging both day and night avoiding the hottest hours. The maximum collection of fragments was observed in the range of 10 and 19 °C, less between 20 - 39 °C, minimum between 40 - 49 °C and null between 0 - 9 °C. The nest - maintenance activity was maximum between 20 - 29 °C, less between 30 - 39 ° C, minimum between 40 - 49 °C and null between 0 - 20 °C.

scholarly journals Meiofauna in stream habitats: temporal dynamics of abundance, biomass and secondary production in different substrate microhabitats in a first-order stream

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 1079-1095
Author(s):  
Henrike Brüchner-Hüttemann ◽  
Christoph Ptatscheck ◽  
Walter Traunspurger
Keyword(s):  
Density Distribution ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Secondary Production ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Order Stream ◽  
First Order ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Meiofaunal Abundance

Abstract Meiofaunal abundance, biomass and secondary production were investigated over 13 months in an unpolluted first-order stream. Four microhabitats were considered: sediment and the biofilms on dead wood, macrophytes and leaf litter. The relative contribution of the microhabitats to secondary production and the influence of environmental factors on meiofaunal density distribution were estimated. We expected (1) meiofaunal abundance and biomass to exhibit seasonal patterns, with more pronounced seasonal fluctuations on macrophytes and leaf litter than in the other microhabitats, (2) annual secondary production to be highest in sediment; however, the relative contribution of the microhabitats to monthly secondary production would change during the year, and (3) a bottom-up driven influence on meiofaunal density distribution in the microhabitats. Meiofaunal annual mean abundance, biomass and secondary production were 7–14 times higher in sediment and on dead wood than on macrophytes and leaf litter. Significant seasonal patterns described the meiofaunal abundance in sediment and on leaf litter as well as the biomass in sediment, on macrophytes and leaf litter. Organisms in sediment and on dead wood contributed 48 and 43%, respectively, to secondary production m−2, but in regard to the stream area covered by the microhabitats, sediment had the highest share (80%). Significant determinants of the density distribution were AFDM, protozoans, bacteria and Chl-a, which influenced all meiofaunal groups. Our study clearly indicates that meiofaunal organisms in sediment and on dead wood have a remarkable share on total secondary production of lotic systems which is especially relevant for forested low-order streams.

Seasonal patterns of body temperature and activity in free-ranging muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus)

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. MacArthur
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Ondatra Zibethicus ◽  
Winter Foraging ◽  
Body Cooling ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Foraging Time

Radiotelemetry techniques were employed to study the relationship between activity and abdominal temperature (Tb) changes in free-ranging muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus). Body cooling accompanied foraging activity by adults in winter and juveniles in summer and was retarded by periodic withdrawal from water. Net Tb decline during winter foraging rarely exceeded 2 °C and was relatively independent of foraging time for excursions exceeding 40 min duration. In addition to periodic rewarming within feeding shelters, muskrats appeared to avoid hypothermia during under-ice excursions by elevating Tb prior to entering water. This elevation was maximal (mean increase = 1.2 °C) for excursions exceeding 40 min duration. Comparable increases were not observed in summer.

scholarly journals Temporal dynamics of a fish community in the lower portion of a tidal creek, Pando sub-estuarine system, Uruguay

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Gurdek ◽  
◽  
Alicia Acuña-Plavan
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Tidal Creek ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Estuarine System ◽  
Micropogonias Furnieri ◽  
Different Time Scales ◽  
Odontesthes Argentinensis

ABSTRACT Estuaries are highly dynamic ecosystems subjected to variability of their fish communities over different time scales. The nearshore fish community of the lower Pando estuary, a temperate sub-system of the Río de la Plata estuary, was sampled from May 2002 to June 2003. A total of 2,165 fishes, represented by 16 species were caught by seine netting. Captures were dominated by juveniles (>90%), as well as by the sciaenid Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823) (82.8%). The fish community showed high seasonal variability, with the greatest diversity and biomass in summer and spring and the highest species richness during summer. Lowest values of all community parameters occurred in winter and autumn, seasons that presented the highest similarity in fish composition. Number of species was correlated with water temperature and salinity. The ichthyofaunal composition showed significant diel differences in summer and spring. Diel changes were observed in the density of M. furnieri and Odontesthes argentinensis (Valenciennes, 1835), occurring mainly during the day, and of Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836, Parapimelodus valenciennis (Lütken, 1874) and Brevoortia aurea (Spix & Agassiz, 1829), caught mostly during the night. Temporal variability was attributed to environmental fluctuations, life cycle of species as well as to feeding patterns and small-scale displacements. Presented findings in the Pando sub-estuary denote similar juvenile use and seasonal patterns to those found in estuaries. Further studies in the nursery function and juvenile dynamics over the year are recommended in order to better understand the ecological role of sub-estuaries.

scholarly journals Patterns of foraging activity and fidelity in a southeast Asian flying fox

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Schloesing ◽  
Rémi Chambon ◽  
Annelise Tran ◽  
Kinley Choden ◽  
Sébastien Ravon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Fruit Bat

Abstract Background Improved understanding of the foraging ecology of bats in the face of ongoing habitat loss and modification worldwide is essential to their conservation and maintaining the substantial ecosystem services they provide. It is also fundamental to assessing potential transmission risks of zoonotic pathogens in human-wildlife interfaces. We evaluated the influence of environmental and behavioral variables on the foraging patterns of Pteropus lylei (a reservoir of Nipah virus) in a heterogeneous landscape in Cambodia. Methods We employed an approach based on animal-movement modeling, which comprised a path-segmentation method (hidden Markov model) to identify individual foraging-behavior sequences in GPS data generated by eight P. lylei. We characterized foraging localities, foraging activity, and probability of returning to a given foraging locality over consecutive nights. Generalized linear mixed models were also applied to assess the influence of several variables including proxies for energetic costs and quality of foraging areas. Results Bats performed few foraging bouts (area-restricted searches) during a given night, mainly in residential areas, and the duration of these decreased during the night. The probability of a bat revisiting a given foraging area within 48 h varied according to the duration previously spent there, its distance to the roost site, and the corresponding habitat type. We interpret these fine-scale patterns in relation to global habitat quality (including food-resource quality and predictability), habitat-familiarity and experience of each individual. Conclusions Our study provides evidence that heterogeneous human-made environments may promote complex patterns of foraging-behavior and short-term re-visitation in fruit bat species that occur in such landscapes. This highlights the need for similarly detailed studies to understand the processes that maintain biodiversity in these environments and assess the potential for pathogen transmission in human-wildlife interfaces.

Foraging ecology of the thermophilic Australian desert ant, Melophorus bagoti

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Muser ◽  
Stefan Sommer ◽  
Harald Wolf ◽  
Rüdiger Wehner
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Foraging Success ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Desert Ant ◽  
Foraging Site ◽  
Intercolony Aggression ◽  
Melophorus Bagoti

The paper describes the foraging ecology of the Australian desert ant, Melophorus bagoti, a thermophilic, diurnal scavenger with ground-nesting colonies. Overlapping foraging ranges, low foraging success rates, and intercolony aggression suggest intense competition for food between colonies. Daily foraging starts when soil surface temperatures approach 50°C. Workers search individually and collect predominantly dead insects. Occasionally, they consume plant secretions. Foraging activity peaks on mid-summer days. On cloudy days the onset of foraging is delayed, and the foraging activity is low. Ants do not forage on rainy days. Typically, workers start their above-ground activities with a few short exploration runs. On average, they perform one foraging run on the first day of their outdoor lives. With age they gradually increase foraging site fidelity and daily foraging effort. Individual foraging efficiency is low at the beginning but grows with experience. However, due to a high mortality rate and, hence, high forager turnover, average rates of foraging success for a colony remain rather low. The outdoor activity gradually decreases towards the end of summer and appears to stop completely during the winter months.

scholarly journals Do contamination of and exposure to chicken meat and water drive the temporal dynamics ofCampylobactercases?

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (15) ◽  
pp. 3191-3203 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. DAVID ◽  
F. POLLARI ◽  
K. D. M. PINTAR ◽  
A. NESBITT ◽  
A. J. BUTLER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Water Contamination ◽  
Natural Waters ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Chicken Meat ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Source Contamination ◽  
Time Series Analyses ◽  
Retail Chicken Meat

SUMMARYCampylobacteriosis, the most frequent bacterial enteric disease, shows a clear yet unexplained seasonality. The study purpose was to explore the influence of seasonal fluctuation in the contamination of and in the behaviour exposures to two important sources ofCampylobacteron the seasonality of campylobacteriosis. Time series analyses were applied to data collected through an integrated surveillance system in Canada in 2005–2010. Data included sporadic, domestically-acquired cases ofCampylobacter jejuniinfection, contamination of retail chicken meat and of surface water byC. jejuni, and exposure to each source through barbequing and swimming in natural waters. Seasonal patterns were evident for all variables with a peak in summer for human cases and for both exposures, in fall for chicken meat contamination, and in late fall for water contamination. Time series analyses showed that the observed campylobacteriosis summer peak could only be significantly linked to behaviour exposures rather than sources contamination (swimming rather than water contamination and barbequing rather than chicken meat contamination). The results indicate that the observed summer increase in human cases may be more the result of amplification through more frequent risky exposures rather than the result of an increase of theCampylobactersource contamination.

scholarly journals Foraging ecology of the amphibious mudskipper Periophthalmus chrysospilos (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae)

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12582
Author(s):  
Quang Minh Dinh ◽  
Ton Huu Duc Nguyen ◽  
Tran Thi Huyen Lam ◽  
Tien Thi Kieu Nguyen ◽  
Giang Van Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Mekong Delta ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Marine Connectivity ◽  
Dietary Component

The food composition and feeding ecology of fishes living in the intertidal zone play an essential role in understanding the energetic connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic systems. Periophthalmus chrysospilos is an amphibious fish species occurring in the intertidal zone, but data on its diet and foraging ecology is still poorly known. This study on Ps. chrysospilos was carried out from April 2020 to March 2021 at four sites within the Mekong Delta estuary to define the influence of spatio-temporal factors on the diet of this species. The diet composition and relative gut lengths (RGLs) of Ps. chrysospilos were analysed in relation to four parameters—sex, size, site, and season. A total of 1,031 individuals were collected, and their digestive tract lengths were used to calculate the RGL. The digestive tracts of only 546 individuals were with food items (approximately 1:1 of empty vs full digestive tract) and were subsequently used for further analyses. The ranges in total length and weight in both adult and juvenile individuals were 3.4–10.6 cm and 0.38–14.13 g, respectively. The RGL values varied with season, fish size and site, but was always lower than 1, indicating a predominantly carnivorous diet. The variability of food items found within the digestive tracts demonstrated its adaptability in pursuing prey items within the limits of the littoral zone, and its importance as a conduit of terrestrial-marine connectivity. This species is characterised as an opportunistic mesopredator feeding primarily on Acetes spp., Uca spp., Dolichoderus sp., and rarely on Polychaeta and Actinopterygii. Other items found within the digestive tract are Mollusca, and detritus. The diet composition of Ps. chrysospilos did not vary with season and size, but changed with sex and site parameters. Uca spp. contributed to the sexual variation in dietary component, whereas Mollusca, Uca spp., Dolichoderus sp. and detritus, were drivers for spatial variation in the dietary component. The research provides fundamental information on diet composition and feeding strategy, as well as contributes towards knowledge on foraging ecology and resource use by intertidal animal communities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document