Any biological science major, or psychology
-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
251
Tempe
In ant colonies, the size of the nest entrance shapes exposure to predators and competitors, while also influencing the microclimate inside the nest and affecting traffic flow. Experiments with cavity-nesting ants of the genus Temnothorax have shown a strong preference for artificial nests with a narrow entrance. However, recent experiments with Temnothorax rugatulus ants have shown that they further modify the nest entrance to potentially reduce exposure to predators. In this experiment, we will further explore this by providing ant colonies with multiple nest entrances to observe whether they modify and continue to use all entrances, or decide to close all but one. In that case, we will test whether other factors, such as distance to food or a light source, can explain which entrance will be used. Using a combination of controlled behavioral assays, calibrated imaging, and statistical model-based inference, the researcher will connect decision-making and nest architecture in ant colonies.
No specific skills
Stephen Pratt
Tempe