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Harvester Ant
Harvester ant is a common name for any of the species or genera of ants that collect seeds (called seed predation), or mushrooms as in the case of '' Euprenolepis procera'', which are stored in the nest in communal chambers called granaries. They are also referred to as agricultural ants. Seed harvesting by some desert ants is an adaptation to the lack of typical ant resources such as prey or honeydew from hemipterans. Harvester ants increase seed dispersal and protection, and provide nutrients that increase seedling survival of the desert plants. In addition, ants provide soil aeration through the creation of galleries and chambers, mix deep and upper layers of soil, and incorporate organic refuse into the soil. Seed dispersal Ants may play an important role in the dynamics of plant communities by acting either as seed dispersal agents or as seed predators, or both. During the day, these ants search the savannas for vegetation and plant seeds, and carry them along back to the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Florida Harvester Ant Teamwork! (Pogonomyrmex Badius) (6502194585)
Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Straits of Florida to the south, and The Bahamas to the southeast. About two-thirds of Florida occupies a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It has the List of U.S. states by coastline, longest coastline in the contiguous United States, spanning approximately , not including its many barrier islands. It is the only state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of over 23 million, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by population, third-most populous state in the United States and ranks List of states and territories of the United States by population density, seventh in population density as of 2020. Florida spans , ranking List of U.S. states ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zoochory
In spermatophyte plants, seed dispersal is the movement, spread or transport of seeds away from the parent plant. Plants have limited mobility and rely upon a variety of dispersal vectors to transport their seeds, including both abiotic vectors, such as the wind, and living ( biotic) vectors such as birds. Seeds can be dispersed away from the parent plant individually or collectively, as well as dispersed in both space and time. The patterns of seed dispersal are determined in large part by the dispersal mechanism and this has important implications for the demographic and genetic structure of plant populations, as well as migration patterns and species interactions. There are five main modes of seed dispersal: gravity, wind, ballistic, water, and by animals. Some plants are serotinous and only disperse their seeds in response to an environmental stimulus. These modes are typically inferred based on adaptations, such as wings or fleshy fruit. However, this simplified view may ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pheidole
''Pheidole'' () is a genus of ants that belongs to the ant subfamily Myrmicinae. The genus is widespread and ecologically dominant. Many species in the genus first evolved in the Americas, while some, such as ''Pheidole indica'' and '' Pheidole megacephala,'' originated from East Asia and Africa, respectively. These species eventually began spreading across the globe. ''Pheidole megacephala'' is considered a particularly problematic invasive species. Colony structure Most species of ''Pheidole'' are dimorphic, which means that colonies contain two castes of workers, the "minor" workers, and the "major" workers, or "soldiers". The latter generally have much larger heads and mandibles in comparison to their usually fairly modest body size. This caste is also notable due to the presence of wings, found in the queen ants as well as in the males. A colony may contain one or several queens, and also in larger colonies of '' Pheidole morrisi'', alates - virgin winged females and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Messor
''Messor'' is a genus of myrmicine ants with more than 100 species, all of which are harvester ants; the generic name comes from the Roman god of crops and harvest, Messor. The subterranean colonies tend to be found in open fields and near roadsides, openings are directly to the surface. Colonies can achieve huge sizes and are notable for their intricately designed granaries in which seeds are stored in dry conditions, preventing germination. The structure of ''Messor'' spp. nests is complex and the genus on the whole is one of very accomplished architects. ''Messor'' spp. are polymorphic and have a distinct caste of macrocephalic dinoergates whose role is carrying and cutting the large seeds which comprise much of the colonies' subsistence. Although they primarily feed on seeds, they occasionally eat insects and snails. Some snail shells possibly are taken into the nest because of their grain-like shape. Equipped with a tough, shining cuticle, ''Messor'' spp. are slow-movin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Euprenolepis
''Euprenolepis'' is a Southeast Asian genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae with eight recognized species. Species * '' Euprenolepis echinata'' LaPolla, 2009 * '' Euprenolepis maschwitzi'' LaPolla, 2009 * '' Euprenolepis negrosensis'' (Wheeler, 1930) * '' Euprenolepis procera'' (Emery, 1900) * '' Euprenolepis thrix'' LaPolla, 2009 * '' Euprenolepis variegata'' LaPolla, 2009 * '' Euprenolepis wittei'' LaPolla, 2009 * '' Euprenolepis zeta'' La Polla, 2009 Distribution ''Euprenolepis'' is endemic to southeastern Asia. Most species are presently known from Borneo only, but whether or not this reflects biological reality or collecting bias remains unclear. Taxonomy ''Euprenolepis'' was constructed as a subgenus within '' Prenolepis'' by Emery (1906), but he later moved the subgenus to '' Paratrechina'' (Emery, 1925). When ''Euprenolepis'' was raised to full genus level by Brown (1953), he also synonymized ''Chapmanella'' with ''Euprenolepis''. Description Six diagnostic charac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aphaenogaster Cockerelli
''Novomessor cockerelli'' is a species of ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States and Mexico. It lives in large underground colonies in which there is a single queen. The worker ants leave the nest daily to forage for seeds, plant material and dead insects. Description ''Novomessor cockerelli'' is a large brown ant with a blackish gaster, long legs and an elongated head. It can be recognised by the two distinctive spines on the propodeum. It can be distinguished from the rather similar '' Novomessor albisetosus'' by the shape of its head. It cannot sting but is very aggressive and has a powerful bite. Distribution and habitat ''Novomessor cockerelli'' is found in arid areas of the Southwestern United States including Texas and the Franklin Mountains, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California. It is also present in northern Mexico in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila and Nuevo León. Its typical habitat i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Novomessor
''Novomessor'' is a genus of ants that was described by Italian entomologist Carlo Emery Carlo Emery (25 October 1848, Naples – 11 May 1925) was an Italian entomologist. He is remembered for Emery's rule, which states that insect social parasitism (biology), social parasites are often closely related to their hosts. Early in hi ... in 1915. Until recently, the genus was thought to be a synonym of '' Aphaenogaster'', but a 2015 phylogenetic study concluded that the two genera were distinct, reviving ''Novomessor'' from synonymy. Three species are currently described. This genus is known to inhabit the deserts of southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Species *'' Novomessor albisetosus'' (Mayr, 1886) *'' Novomessor cockerelli'' (André, 1893) *'' Novomessor ensifer'' (Forel, 1899) References External links * {{Taxonbar, from=Q10338039 Myrmicinae Ant genera Hymenoptera of North America Insects of the United States Insects of Mexico ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aphaenogaster
''Aphaenogaster'' is a genus of myrmicine ants in the tribe Stenammini. About 200 species have been described, including 18 fossil species. They occur worldwide except in South America south of Colombia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Antarctica. ''Aphaenogaster'' colonies have monomorphic workers. They have four-segmented antennal clubs and 12-segmented antennae.Genus ''Aphaenogaster'' In Australia, they often build dense, conspicuous nests.Richards, P.J. (2009) ''Aphaenogaster'' ants as bioturbators: impacts on soil and slope processes. Earth-Science Reviews 96: 92-106. Nest entrances are generally funnel-shaped with diameters up to 4 cm, which resulted in the common name funnel ants. These nests can be a serious problem for |
Piloerection
Goose bumps, goosebumps or goose pimples are the bumps on a person's skin at the base of body hairs which may involuntarily develop when a person is tickled, cold or experiencing strong emotions such as fear, euphoria or sexual arousal. The formation of goose bumps in humans under stress is considered by some to be a vestigial reflex, though visible piloerection is associated with changes in skin temperature in humans. The reflex of producing goose bumps is known as piloerection or the pilomotor reflex, or, more traditionally, horripilation. It occurs in many mammals; a prominent example is porcupines, which raise their quills when threatened, or sea otters when they encounter sharks or other predators. Anatomy and biology Goose bumps are created when tiny muscles at the base of each hair, known as '' arrector pili muscles'', contract and pull the hair straight up. The reflex is started by the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for many fight-or-flight respon ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pogonomyrmex Barbatus
''Pogonomyrmex barbatus'' is a species of harvester ant from the genus ''Pogonomyrmex''. Its common names include red ant and red harvester ant. These large (5– to 7-mm) ants prefer arid chaparral habitats and are native to the Southwestern United States. Nests are made underground (up to 2.5 m deep) in exposed areas. Their diets consist primarily of seeds, and they consequently participate in myrmecochory, an ant-plant interaction through which the ants gain nutrients and the plants benefit through seed dispersal. Red harvester ants are often mistaken for fire ants, but are not closely related to any fire ant species, native or introduced. Colonization Red harvester ant nests are characterized by a lack of plant growth and small pebbles surrounding the entrance to the tunnel, which usually descends at a pronounced angle. Hulls of seeds may be found scattered around the nest. In grassland areas, such as ranches, the lack of plant life makes red harvester ant colonies very easy ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Veromessor Andrei
''Veromessor andrei'' is a species of harvester ant native to California, Oregon, Baja California, and possibly Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas .... References Insects described in 1886 Fauna of California Fauna of the Baja California Peninsula Fauna of the Southwestern United States Myrmicinae Hymenoptera of North America {{Myrmicinae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Desiccation
Desiccation is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying. A desiccant is a hygroscopic (attracts and holds water) substance that induces or sustains such a state in its local vicinity in a moderately sealed container. The word desiccation comes . Industry Desiccation is widely employed in the oil and gas industry. These materials are obtained in a hydrated state, but the water content leads to corrosion or is incompatible with downstream processing. Removal of water is achieved by cryogenics, cryogenic condensation, absorption into glycols, and absorption onto desiccants such as silica gel. Laboratory A desiccator is a heavy glass or plastic container, now somewhat antiquated, used in practical chemistry for drying or keeping small amounts of materials very dry. The material is placed on a shelf, and a drying agent or ''desiccant'', such as dry silica gel or anhydrous sodium hydroxide, is placed below the shelf. Often some sort of humidity indicator is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
