Which Paths Do They Prefer?

Ant Bridges:

• Laura Broseke

• Elizabeth Gerber

• Taryn Nye

• Sai Yan Chu

Introduction

Ant Facts

Materials and Methods

Predictions

Step One:

• Do Ants Like Jelly?

Yes They Do!

Initial Designing Process

• We began with sketching different Bridge Designs…

First Bridge Model

• After It was destroyed by the weather.

Second Bridge Design

• This is the one we choose to go with because it worked the best.

Bridge Specifications:Bridge Type Dimensions Materials Angles

Horizontal 2cm Foam Core 0

Vertical 2cm Foam Core 90

Long 2cm Foam Core 45

Short 2cm Foam Core 45

Wide 4cm Foam Core 45

Narrow 1mm Wire 45

Rough 2cm Cardboard 45

Smooth/Slippery 2cm Foam Board/ Plastic 45

Other Materials Standards Other Specifications

Sobo/ Tacky Glue Width: 2cm * Smooth Transitions from Ground to Bridges

Jelly & Sugar Material: Foam Core * Careful Craft

Fish Tank Angles: 45 * Maintain Standards when Possible

Hot Glue Glue: Sobo/ Tacky

Plexy glass

Time Line (Revised)Date: Time: Event:

1 27-Sep 12:00am Submit Proposal

2 26-Sep 9:50am Finalize Design Bridge

3 28/29-Sep Und Gather Materials

4 28/29-Sep Und Build Bridge

5 3-Oct 9:30am Observe in Outside First Time

Continue Observations Until Sig. Decrease in Ants

6 W-10/1 Und Ant Farm Arrives

7 W-10/10 Und Ants Come In/ Set up The Farm (Ideal)

8 17-Oct 9:50am Connect the Bridge (General Observation) (Ideal)

9 22-Oct 9:50am Observe in Fish Tank First Time

Continue Observations Until At least 20 Are Collected

10p 7-Nov Und Start Reviewing & Drawing Conclusions

11 12-Nov Und Lab Report

12 14-Nov Und Lab Report

13 19-Nov Und Lab Report

14 21-Nov Und Lab Report

15 26-Nov Und Lab Report

16 Dec Lab Report Due

* Many Additional Observations Will Be Taken.

At Least 20 For each Condition (In / Out).

Data Collection Sheet:Bridge Type:

Ants (food) Ants (bridge) Total Hour Date Weather Observations

Outside

Observation 1

Observation 2

Observation 3

Observation 4

Observation 5

Observation 6

Observation7

Observation 8

Observation9

Observation 10

Observation 11

Observation 12

Observation 13

Observation 14

Observation 15

Observation 16

Observation 17

Observation 18

Observation 19

Observation 20

Continuous Student Observations:

Name Date Bridge # Observations / Number of Ants on platform/bridge

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Class Involvement

• Each student must check the ants (both indoor and outdoor) and fill out the student data sheet.

• Between now and Thursday morning have at least one observation from both indoor and outdoor.

• Be prepared to discuss your observations, compile class results, and analyze them.

Information and Steps for Student Observations

Indoor ants are located in the lab with Thelma.

Outdoor ants are located behind McKee.

The data sheets are located with the bridges.

When observing the ants take notice of how the ants are interacting with the bridges and the amount of food left (suggestion: take notes).

PLEASE COVER THE BRIDGES WHEN FINISHED!!!!!

If any questions arise please come and get us.

Sources Used:• Foster, 2001. William, and Shingleton Alexander. Behavior, Morphology

and the division of labour in two soldier-producing aphids. Animal Behavior, 62: 671-679.

• Foster, 2001. William, and Shingleton Alexander. Behavior, Morphology and the division of labour in two soldier-producing aphids. Animal Behavior, 62: 671-679.

• Foster, 2001. William, and Shingleton Alexander. Behavior, Morphology and the division of labour in two soldier-producing aphids. Animal Behavior, 62: 671-679.

• Detrain, Claire. 1997. Scavenging by Pheidole pallidula: a key for understanding decision-making systems in ants. Animal Behaviour, 53: 537-547.

• Burd, Martin. 2000. Foraging behaviour of Atta cephalotes (leaf-cutting ants): an examination of two predictions for load selection. Animal Behaviour, 60: 781-788.

• Denny, Adrian. 2001. Foraging efficiency in the wood ant, Formica rufa: is time of the essence in trail following? Animal Behaviour, 61: 139-146.

Cont.

• Mailleux, Anne-Catherine. 2000. How do ants assess food volume? Animal Behaviour, 59: 1061-1069.

• Nonacs, Peter. 1998. Patch sampling behaviour and future expectations in Argentine ants, Linepithema humile. Animal Behaviour, 55:519-527.

• Robson, Simon. 1997. Division of labour and ‘foraging for work’: simulating reality versus the reality simulations. Animal Behaviour, 53:214-218.

• Heinze, J. 1999. Worker age, size and social status in queenless colonies of the ant Leptothorax gredleri. Animal Behaviour, 58: 751-759.

• Anderson, Carl. 2001. The complexities and hierarchical structure of tasks in insect societies . Animal Behaviour, 62: 643-651.

• Tarniello, James. 1997. Ecology, evolution and division of labour in social insects. Animal Behaviour, 53: 209-213.