Decrease the risk of being killed and increase the food intake is an important feature of the foraging behavior of most animals. In general, foragers are vulnerable and the ability to trade-off benefits (food quantity) against costs (risk of being killed) may provide a considerable ecological advantage. Despite the increasing number of studies, the effects of food quantity and risk signals on resource selection in eusocial insect is not well understood. Here, we investigated the combination of distinct levels of food quantity and risk signals on resource selection of a Neotropical termite, Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Manipulative bioassays with binary and multiple choices were conducted over time to check the recruitment of termite groups among resources containing different levels of food quantity and risk signals. Overall, the quantity of food resource was more important than the risk signals during the resource selection by N. corniger groups. However, termites were able to perceive the risk choosing resource with high benefits (high amount of food) and low costs (low risk signal) when it was conducted multiple bioassays with empty arenas. This work contributes to a better understanding of habitat use by termite species. Furthermore, it shows for the first time the combined effects of food quantity and risk signals on resource selection of an important ecological and economic termite species.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.