Ants do not change their behavior in response to increasing temperatures and remain in poor habitats even if there is a good alternative. North Carolina State University reports.
Ants are ectothermic animals – their body temperature is not regulated and depends on the environment. In this regard, it is critical for them to live in an area with a suitable climate because significant temperature fluctuations cause the death or cessation of the colony. However, it is unknown how likely the ants are to migrate or change their habitats in response to climate change.
To find out how these insects might respond to higher temperatures, the researchers studied five ant species common in North Carolina. They counted their numbers at different locations, collected biological samples from forest ecosystems, and measured air temperatures at the collection sites to determine the distribution of available microhabitats. The authors also used a special ant thermometer to measure the ants’ own temperature (which varies according to the ant’s color and body size). Finally, to determine each species’ preferred temperature, the researchers collected several ants and placed them in a rectangular chamber with a controlled temperature gradient (cold and warm “corners”) in the laboratory.
It turned out that ants in the lab had certain temperature preferences, but ants in the field were not much more active in their preferred climate than they were in a random location. What’s more, most of the species congregated in places that were warmer than their ideal temperatures, suggesting a lack of awareness or some limitation in their ability to adapt to rising temperatures.
“Interestingly, the worker ants we observed were willing to put themselves in uncomfortable situations while foraging,” says Sarah Prado, one of the study’s authors. “I wonder if the food is ‘gainful’ enough for the ants to increase their comfort level, or if they are willing to sacrifice their welfare for the good of the colony.”
In this regard, the authors worry that ants will not be able to adapt to global warming and will remain in unfavorable areas until they die from overheating.
Source: Gazeta
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