File(s) under permanent embargo
Desert ants locate Food by combining high sensitivity to food odors with extensive crosswind runs
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 00:07 authored by Cornelia BuehlmannCornelia Buehlmann, Paul GrahamPaul Graham, Bill S. Hansson, Markus KnadenDesert ants feeding on dead arthropods forage for food items that are distributed unpredictably in space and time in the food-scarce terrain of the Saharan salt pans [1]. Scavengers of the genus Cataglyphis forage individually and do not lay pheromone trails [ 2]. They rely primarily on path integration [3] for navigation and, in addition, use visual [4] and olfactory cues [ 5, 6 and 7]. While most studies have focused on the navigational mechanisms of ants targeting a familiar place like the nest or a learned feeding site, little is known about how ants locate food in their natural environment. Here we show that Cataglyphis fortis is highly sensitive to and attracted by food odors, especially the necromone linoleic acid, enabling them to locate tiny arthropods over several meters in distance. Furthermore, during the search for food, ants use extensive crosswind walks that increase the chances of localizing food plumes. By combining high sensitivity toward food odors with crosswind runs, the ants efficiently screen the desert for food and hence reduce the time spent foraging in their harsh desert environment.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Current BiologyISSN
0960-9822Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Issue
9Volume
24Page range
960-964Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2016-01-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-03-09Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC