Differences in behavioural traits among native and introduced colonies of an invasive ant

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Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_2C9A419F0422
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Case report (case report): feedback on an observation with a short commentary.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Differences in behavioural traits among native and introduced colonies of an invasive ant
Journal
Biological Invasions
Author(s)
Blight O., Josens R., Bertelsmeier C., Abril S., Boulay R., Cerdá X.
ISSN
1573-1464
ISSN-L
1387-3547
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2017
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
19
Number
5
Pages
1389-1398
Language
english
Abstract
Identifying the factors that promote the success of biological invasions is a key pursuit in ecology. To date, the link between animal personality and invasiveness has rarely been studied. Here, we examined in the laboratory how Argentine ant populations from the species' native and introduced ranges differed in a suite of behaviours related to species interactions and the use of space. We found correlations among specific behavioural traits that defined an explorative-aggressive syndrome. The Main "European" supercolony (introduced range) more readily explored novel environments, displayed more aggression, detected food resources more quickly, and occupied more space than the Catalonian supercolony (introduced range) and two other Argentine supercolonies (native range). The two native supercolonies also differed in their personalities; one harbouring the less invasive personality, while the other is intermediate between the two introduced supercolonies. Therefore, instead of a binary pattern, Argentine ant supercolonies display a behavioural continuum that is independent on their geographic origin (native/introduced ranges). Our results also suggest that variability in personality traits is correlated to differences in the ecological success of Argentine ant colonies. Differences in group personalities may facilitate the persistence and invasion of animals under novel selective pressures by promoting adaptive behaviours. We stress that the concept of animal personality should be taken into account when elucidating the mechanisms of invasiveness.
Keywords
Animal personality, Behavioural syndrome, Supercolony, Invasive ant
Web of science
Create date
24/01/2017 13:01
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:11
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