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Clusters of ant colonies and robust criticality in a tropical agroecosystem

Nature volume 451, pages 457–459 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Although sometimes difficult to measure at large scales, spatial pattern is important in natural biological spaces as a determinant of key ecological properties such as species diversity, stability, resiliency and others1,2,3,4,5,6. Here we demonstrate, at a large spatial scale, that a common species of tropical arboreal ant forms clusters of nests through a combination of local satellite colony formation and density-dependent control by natural enemies, mainly a parasitic fly. Cluster sizes fall off as a power law consistent with a so-called robust critical state7. This endogenous cluster formation at a critical state is a unique example of an insect population forming a non-random pattern at a large spatial scale. Furthermore, because the species is a keystone of a larger network that contributes to the ecosystem function of pest control, this is an example of how spatial dynamics at a large scale can affect ecosystem service at a local level.

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Figure 1: Distribution of nests of Azteca instabilis over a 45-ha plot (the three missing hectares are on inaccessible terrain).
Figure 2: Attack rates of phorid fly parasites as a function of nest-cluster density.
Figure 3: Time (in six month intervals) series for population density (top) and mean variance ratios (bottom) for the parameters s 0 = 0.0035, s 1 = 0.035, m 0 = 0.116 and m 1 = 0.036.
Figure 4: Log of cumulative frequency of log cluster sizes.

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Acknowledgements

We thank S. Levin and M. Reitkerk for reading an earlier version of the manuscript, and M. Pascual for advice. We also thank J. Maldonado, B. Estaban Chilel and G. López-Bautista, who performed the bulk of the field censuses, and the Peter’s Foundation for permission to establish the plot on Finca Irlanda, and for logistic support. El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), especially G. Ibarra Núñez and A. Garcia-Ballinas, also provided logistical support. This work was supported by a National Science Foundation grant to I.P. and J.V.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Kraus Natural Science Building, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA,

    John Vandermeer

  2. School of Natural Resources and Environment, Dana Building, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA ,

    John Vandermeer & Ivette Perfecto

  3. Department of Environmental Sciences, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, USA,

    Stacy M. Philpott

Authors
  1. John Vandermeer
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  2. Ivette Perfecto
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  3. Stacy M. Philpott
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John Vandermeer.

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The file contains Supplementary Notes with Supplementary Tables S1-S5, Supplementary Figures S1-S5 with Legends and additional references. (PDF 392 kb)

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Vandermeer, J., Perfecto, I. & Philpott, S. Clusters of ant colonies and robust criticality in a tropical agroecosystem. Nature 451, 457–459 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06477

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