Determination of consumption of Eucalyptus grandis by nests of Atta sexdens rubropilosa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5380/rf.v43i4.26488Keywords:
Resíduos, formigas-cortadeiras, taxa de conversão.Abstract
Abstract
Because ants cut and carry plant material inside their colonies, they become important agents for the accumulation of organic matter in the soil through their disposal chambers. This accumulated material comes from symbiotic fungus processing and can become a source of nutrients. In the context, the objective of this study was to determine the conversion of leaves of Eucalyptus grandis into waste by colonies of Atta sexdens rubropilosa monitored in laboratory. We selected eight colonies of Atta sexdens rubropilosa, 4 collected in 2007 (called adults), and 4 in 2010 (referred to as young). During 72 days, they were supplied with leaves of Eucalyptus grandis. The average conversion factor between the young and adult colonies monitored in the laboratory was 1.49. We observed that 63.65% of the material supplied to the colonies converted to waste.
Keywords: Waste; leaf-cutting ants; conversion rate.
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