2. The potential role of predation as a
factor underlying variation in leaf-cutter
ant (Atta sp.) densities was investigated
on recently isolated land-bridge islands
in Lago Guri, Venezuela
3. Występowanie
A survey of mature Atta colonies revealed a sharp increase in densities on small
and medium islands (5.6 and 2.3 colonies ha−1 respectively) compared to large
islands (0.72 colonies ha−1) and the mainland (0 nests in 5.5 ha). Incipient colonies
showed the reverse trend with higher densities on larger landmasses. Cage
experiments were conducted to test the impacts of predation on the survival of
incipient and young Atta colonies.
