Small-scale maze navigation in Myrmica species

In a long-running series of experiments M-C Cammaerts has been investigating the use of visual and olfactory cues for navigation through simple mazes by a number of Myrmica species. The basic methodology is to condition foragers by allowing them to feed near an odour source or a visual cue. These cues can then be introduced to clean mazes and the choices at maze junctions recorded. Overall, the results are expected, in terms of ants learning to associate visual cues and odours with reward. The interesting aspects are the between species comparisons, where the balance of cue use seems to be related to the ecology of the species. The latest two papers in this series can be viewed here:

Click to access mn16_111-121_non-printable.pdf

Click to access mn16_45-55_non-printable.pdf

Cammaerts, M.-C., Rachidi, Z., Beke, S. & Essaadi, Y. (2012) Use of olfactory and visual cues for orientation by the ant Myrmica ruginodis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Myrmecol. News 16: 45-55

Cammaerts, M.-C. (2012) Navigation system of the ant Myrmica rubra (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Myrmecol. News 16: 111-121