ArticleJournal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology2022
What view information is most important in the homeward navigation of an Australian bull ant, Myrmecia midas?
Article in Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed.
- Comparative use of a polarized light compass for twilight and moonlight navigation in diurnal and nocturnal bull ants.Royal Society open science · 2025Article
- Phobic responses of bull ants (Myrmecia midas) to odours introduced on their foraging route.Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology · 2025Article
- Route learning and transport of resources during colony relocation in Australian desert ants.Learning & behavior · 2025Article
- Desert ants (Melophorus bagoti) oscillate and scan more in navigation when the visual scene changes.Animal cognition · 2025Article
- Desert Ant (Insects · 2024Article
- Nest excavators' learning walks in the Australian desert ant Melophorus bagoti.Animal cognition · 2024Article
- Directed retreat and navigational mechanisms in trail following Formica obscuripes.Learning & behavior · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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Abstract
Many insects orient by comparing current panoramic views of their environment to memorised views. We tested the navigational abilities of night-active Myrmecia midas foragers while we blocked segments of their visual panorama. Foragers failed to orient homewards when the front view, lower elevations, entire terrestrial surround, or the full panorama was blocked. Initial scanning increased whenever the visual panorama was blocked but scanning only increased along the rest of the route when the front, back, higher, or lower elevations were blocked. Ants meandered more when the front, the back, or the higher elevations were obscured. When everything except the canopy was blocked, the ants were quick and direct, but moved in random directions, as if to escape. We conclude that a clear front view, or a clear lower panorama is necessary for initial homeward headings. Furthermore, the canopy is neither necessary nor sufficient for homeward initial heading, and the back and upper segments of views, while not necessary, do make finding home easier. Discrepancies between image analysis and ant behaviour when the upper and lower views were blocked suggests that ants are selective in what portions of the scene they attend to or learn.
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