Abstract
AbstractThermal variation has complex effects on organisms and they respond to these effects through combined behavioral and physiological mechanisms. However, it is less clear how these traits combine in response to changes in body condition (e.g., size, hydration) and environmental factors that surround the heating process (e.g., relative humidity, start temperatures, heating rates). We tested whether these body conditions and environmental factors influence sequentially measured Voluntary Thermal Maxima (VTmax) and Critical Thermal Maxima, (CTmax) in leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens rubropilosa, Forel, 1908). VTmax and CTmax reacted differently to changes in body size and relative humidity, but exhibited similar responses to hydration level, start temperature, and heating rate. Strikingly, the VTmax of average-sized workers was closer to their CTmax than the VTmax of their smaller and bigger sisters, suggesting foragers maintain normal behavior at higher temperatures than sister ants that usually perform tasks within the colony. Previous experiments based on hot plate designs might overestimate ants’ CTmax. VTmax and CTmax may respond concomitantly or not to temperature rises, depending on body condition and environmental factors.
Funder
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Estación Biológica de Doñana
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Endocrinology,Animal Science and Zoology,Biochemistry,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics,Physiology
Cited by
6 articles.
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