The effects of interspecific interactions on resource use and behavior in a desert ant

We examined how interspecific competition in ants affects resource use and behavior. To test how neighboring Myrmecocystus colonies influence the dese rt ant Aphaenogaster cockerelli, we placed temporary enclosures around Myrm ecocystus spp. colonies and recorded the resources collected by A. cockerel li and the numbers of A. cockerelli ants engaged in various tasks outside t he nest. When neighbors were enclosed, A. cockerelli colonies collected a s ignificantly higher proportion of termites and significantly less plant mat ter than when neighbors were active. The numbers of A. cockerelli ants enga ged in foraging behavior and nest maintenance work increased when Myrmecocy stus colonies were enclosed. Interspecific interactions thus can affect the behavior and resource use of A. cockerelli colonies and may influence colo ny fitness.