We examined the role of colony size, microgeographic features of colonies such as nest entrance location, and genetic diversity on activity patterns in the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex occidentalis. 87 colonies in three locations were monitored for the onset and cessation of activity over several days. Intra-colony relatedness and patriline number was determined by genotyping 20 workers using 4 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. Activity duration was influenced by external temperature, size of the nest cone, and genetic diversity.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Formicidae Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Western harvester ant)
Keywords: microsatellites, foraging
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