A new form of interspecies relations in ants: Hypothesis of interspecies social control [Russian]

摘要

A hypothesis about a new form of interspecies relations between ants based on the long-term field experiments is suggested. The hypothesis is named interspecies social control and consists in the precise regulation of the subdominant species' numer by dominants. This system of the behavioral regulation is based on the balance between competition and cooperation. The latter is a result of reciprocal parasitism. Ants of the dominant species maintain the abundance of subdominant ones at a definite level that allows them to avoid conflicts and depletion of resources. They also use subdominant species as "scouts" increasing the efficiency of hunting. Subdominant species steal honeydew form aphid populations which are raised by dominant ones. The hypothesis of the interspecies social control may be verified for communities of social animals with well-pronounced interspecies hierarchy and communication.