We examined the spatial pattern of the ant Myrmecocystus mexicanus Wesmael. Although intraspecific dispersion is highly uniform, colonies were significantly associated with reproductively mature nests of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Cresson). Colonies of M. mexicanus were more likely to be found within 3 m of P. occidentalis and less likely to be found as far as 10 m away. The protein component of the diet of M. mexicanus at this site is almost exclusively dead or moribund workers of P. occidentalis. M. mexicanus appears to associate with one of its consistent food sources.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 January 2001
Distribution of Myrmecocystus mexicanus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Association with Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Blaine J. Cole,
Kevin Haight,
Diane C. Wiernasz
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Vol. 94 • No. 1
January 2001
Vol. 94 • No. 1
January 2001
distribution
Myrmecocystus
Myrmecocystus mexicanus
Pogonomyrmex
Pogonomyrmex occidentalis
spatial pattern