ANTSTORE World of Ants

[sianhilton]

I was wondering hypothetically if the following species shared the same habitat who would be the dominant species?
Tapinoma nigerrium
Lasius niger
Lasius emarginatus
Pheidole pallidula
Tetramorium caespitum

Simon H

[KiamCameron]

I would say Pheidole pallidula as there population builds fast and they have soldiers... and they have alot in total in population

[JimmyVe]

Not sure about that, maybe Lasius niger they are far the most aggressive from all. Always a tricky question.

[badman]

only one way to find out...

[SteveUK28]

I agree with Jimmy i'd have to say L.Niger Maybe Pallidula at a push but only cos of there numbers.

[JimmyVe]

only one way to find out...

That could be through but we don't keep ants to let them fight together.

[sianhilton]

I agree Jimmy.
My question was a Hypothetical one.
Ants should be properly looked after in captivity 'Responsibly'

But back to the dominance debate I was thinking that Tetramorium would prove to be the most dominant due to their aggressiveness, recruitment tactics and high population density.

Again difficult one to answer

[JimmyVe]

You like to ask difficult questions. hehe

Trough, these facts all play part to the dominance. The more workers a colony has and how aggressive they are.

[badman]

yeah obviously i don't expect anyone to try it. But that still is the only way to find out

[SteveUK28]

Talking about Dominance.. Does any1 have any experince keeping Temnothorax Nylanderi with any other ants?? I know you can but i just wanan make sure before i try it.

[miszt]

there has been a fair amount of research into this subject, and there are consistant hirachies amongst ant species that live in close proximity, i'll try and dig out the paper i was reading a few months ago...there is also some info in The Ants

Temnothorax nylanderi will live with most species fairly happily, but they are very weak ants, so make sure they have sumwhere to hide, I've seen these ants in the wild tho, living near Myrimca and Lasius, and they never seem to get attacked, infact when they are discovered they flatten themselves on the ground, and are investigated a bit by the other species, before being left alone....bear in mind however, that in the wild they have allot more space, so less competition for resources, also you will need to make sure that the nest is inaccesable to the other species, so the nest cannot be attacked, so a larger species may be better, eg Formica or Camponotus, then u can put a metal grill over the nest that only the Temnothorax can get thru

[JimmyVe]

In deed, i seem to remember reading something like that before (somewhere). If you have to place i think it would just be easier to keep them separated.

[SteveUK28]

Yes i was thinking about putting them with my Ligniperda... But this wouldnt be for some time anyway.. not untill my Ligniperda have at least 20 workers.. and currently have 3.. so will be a while.. and i think id use an old aqurium as a setup.. having a log and moss to protect the Nylanderi nest which atm is in a nut.. that has an entrance hole not much larger than the nib of a pen.

[miszt]

moss wont protect them from ligniperda, they are carpenter ants, and can rip thru hard wood very easily, but as long as the hole in the nut is small enough, shuldnt be a problem....although if they really wanted to get into it, they culd...