Jack S. Neal

Abstract

Replicate colonies were observed at three study sites in southern California. Hourly activity was monitored during winter and spring.

The time outside the nest ranged from strictly diurnal in Pogonomyrmex californicus to bimodal to nocturnal in Pheidole barbata. Four aspects of surface activity, foraging, nest work, patrolling, and convening, also differed among species in hour and/or in relative proportion of such activity. Finally, interesting species differences were seen in climbing ability, running time between stops, and response to air blasts (Messor oergandei and Pheidole barbata were the least aggressive). Solenopsis maniosa was one of the three worst glass climbers, along with Pogonomyrmex californicus and Pogonomyrmex magnacanthus; Conomyrma bicolor and Myrmecocystus species were the best.

In summary, this study suggests many variables for further analysis of diversity, such as activity each hour, climbing ability, and response to disturbance.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Elwood S. McCluskey

Second Advisor

Leonard Brand

Third Advisor

Marvin A. Peters

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

1985

Date (Title Page)

9-1985

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Ants -- Behavior -- California; Desert fauna -- California

Type

Thesis

Page Count

v; 111

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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