10.20362/am.010011
Evidence of predation in two species of the Colobopsis cylindrica group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Camponotini)
Herbert Zettel
2nd Zoological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Alice Laciny
2nd Zoological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Department of Theoretical Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Weeyawat Jaitrong
Thailand Natural History Museum, National Science Museum, Technopolis, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120 Thailand
Syaukani Syaukani
Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, Darussalam 23111, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Alexey Kopchinskiy
Research Area Biochemical Technology, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Irina S. Druzhinina
Research Area Biochemical Technology, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria
PENERBIT UMS
2018
08/02/2018
The complex ecology and nutrition of “exploding” ants of the Colobopsis cylindrica group (COCY) is still poorly understood. Hitherto, this group of ants was thought to feed mainly on phylloplane biofilms with only scarce observations of carnivorous behaviour. This study focusses on observations and behavioural experiments conducted on Colobopsis badia and Colobopsis leonardi, two species native to Thailand. In experiments with C. leonardi, we investigated recognition and acceptance of diverse arthropod prey, as well as its mode of transport into the nest. In addition, preliminary data on C. badia were collected. We present the first recorded instances of predation for these species and discuss our findings in the light of previously published hypotheses on COCY nutrition and behaviour.