BEHAVIORAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN FIRE ANTS AND VERTEBRATE NEST PREDATORS AT TWO BLACK-CAPPED VIREO NESTS

JENNIFER E. SMITH; STEVEN J. TAYLOR; CHRISTOPHER J. WHELAN; MICHAEL L. DENIGHT; MIKE M. STAKE

doi:10.1676/0043-5643(2004)116[0163:BIBFAA]2.0.CO;2

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1 June 2004 BEHAVIORAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN FIRE ANTS AND VERTEBRATE NEST PREDATORS AT TWO BLACK-CAPPED VIREO NESTS

JENNIFER E. SMITH, STEVEN J. TAYLOR, CHRISTOPHER J. WHELAN, MICHAEL L. DENIGHT, MIKE M. STAKE

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The Wilson Bulletin, 116(2):163-166 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1676/0043-5643(2004)116[0163:BIBFAA]2.0.CO;2

Abstract

We report on behavioral interactions between fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) and vertebrate predators at two Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) nests at Fort Hood, Texas. In the presence of fire ants, an eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) failed to depredate a clutch of vireo eggs at one nest, while a rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri) depredated nestlings at another nest, despite fire ants swarming the nest. Neither nest was successful. Direct and indirect effects of interactions among nest predators on avian nesting success need further assessment.

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JENNIFER E. SMITH, STEVEN J. TAYLOR, CHRISTOPHER J. WHELAN, MICHAEL L. DENIGHT, and MIKE M. STAKE "BEHAVIORAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN FIRE ANTS AND VERTEBRATE NEST PREDATORS AT TWO BLACK-CAPPED VIREO NESTS," The Wilson Bulletin 116(2), 163-166, (1 June 2004). https://doi.org/10.1676/0043-5643(2004)116[0163:BIBFAA]2.0.CO;2

Received: 21 November 2003; Accepted: 1 June 2004; Published: 1 June 2004

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