Inter-individual variation in energy cost of running and loading in the seed-harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex maricopa

Abstract The minimum cost of transport (MCOT) was measured in voluntarily running unladen and experimentally laden Pogonomyrmex maricopa (mean mass = 8.9 ± 1.4 mg). MCOT did not vary with temperature over a 10 °C range in which P. maricopa are normally active in the field. Y-axis intercepts varied significantly among individuals, and were greater than the standard metabolic rate (SMR) for both unladen and laden ants. The mean intercept, or cost elevation above SMR, was greater for laden ants (2.10 vs 1.06 J kg −1 s −1 ). When speed was multiplied by load ratio, all ants shared the same MCOT, indicating the equivalence of unit load and body carriage cost (load ratio range = 1.07 − 2.20). The combined overall MCOT for unladen and laden ants was 129 ± 6 J kg −1 m −1 , 61 % less than predicted based on a current scaling equation. The energy transactions of P. maricopa and P. rugosus are compared.

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