CLOSURE AND GEOGRAPHIC DISTANCE IN SOCIETIES OF CAMPONOTUS MOROSUS SMITH, 1858 (HYNENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Abstract

In societies of Camponotus morosus Smith, 1858, the influence of geographic distance over the interactions of individuáis of the same species was studied in artificial nests mantained in a laboratory setting.
The nests were collected in the región of Los Andes (Central Chile). First a nest, including ants named as "residents", was designated as the "zero distance nest". Then, ants named as "intruders" were collected from nests located at: 10 m, 100 m, 200 m, 2,000 m, 5,000 m and 10,000 m., from zero distance nest. The latency time of presentation of the following behavioral units were measured: antennal exploration, mandibular opening, snatching, dorsal or ventral abdominal flexión, abrupt retreat movements and, as a final event, kiUing of the intruder were measured. Significant differences were observed between nests located at 10 m, 100 m, 200 m compared to nests at 2,000 m, 5,000 m and 10,000 m.