Ants in the genus Aphaenogaster is referred to as the "funnel ants" due to their conical-shaped nest structure. Some species serve as model organisms for studying of foraging pattern and tool-using in the world of insects. But the under-ground behaviors of these ants with impact on soil processes appeared to have seldom been investigated. Does anyone has knowledge about any aspects of nest-construction behaviors by Aphaenogaster ants please?
Hello Ran; You might look up the work of WR Tschinkel. He was among the first to have made thes castings. If you contact him, he might be of great help. You might also contact Benoit Guenard. He is an ant specialist at your university. Good luck with your project, Jim Des Lauriers
James Des Lauriers thanks very much for getting back again for my questions about the ants! Am exploring the literatures and will make the contact later on. I have a group of Aphaenogaster in the lab condition, where they are actively transporting soil particles, seem to be working on building a plain area/platform within the nest box. It's very curious and I don't see other ant species being so active in this way!
Ran; Good luck with your project. I've never been successful with lab colonies of ants. I didn't pay enough attention...I seem to prefer being in the field.
Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers