5 replies to this topic

[Jonathan5608]

Just wondering if anybody happened to try in keep these or is their slave needs to difficult to keep up with.

[ZTYguy]

Myrmecocystus depilis does not have any slave making tendencies or needs to my knowledge nor do any species in California. They are just normal Myrmecocystus.

[ReignofRage]

The genus Myrmecocystus, as a whole, are not dulotic. However, there is an interesting report of Dorymyrmex bicolor performing in dulotic habits where they would consistently raid M. kennedyi (ID probably wrong). 

[ZTYguy]

The genus Myrmecocystus, as a whole, are not dulotic. However, there is an interesting report of Dorymyrmex bicolor performing in dulotic habits where they would consistently raid M. kennedyi (ID probably wrong). 

That’s quite interesting about the Dorymyrmex. Honestly that would be fun to try and replicate in captivity. Also I figured there were no dulotic (just learned a new word) species of Myrmecocystus however I didn’t want to assume. Thanks for the cool info.

[Jonathan5608]

Myrmecocystus depilis does not have any slave making tendencies or needs to my knowledge nor do any species in California. They are just normal Myrmecocystus.

The genus Myrmecocystus, as a whole, are not dulotic. However, there is an interesting report of Dorymyrmex bicolor performing in dulotic habits where they would consistently raid M. kennedyi (ID probably wrong).

https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Dulosis
Right above Polyergus

Edited by Jonathan5608, July 13 2023 - 2:43 PM.

[ReignofRage]

The issue I have with the findings in that paper, and Holldobler's other Myrmecocystus raiding papers, is that raiding was not observed, but rather workers within colonies genetically were of different species and when observed it is colonies fighting to cease the existence of each other. It's not uncommon for a species to raid another colony of a different species or even a different genus for the purpose of annhilation and food. Which that raiding-to-kill has been observed in multiple Myrmecocystus species. However, it should not be considered to be a dulotic habit due to the fact that they don't depend on it, don't use it to found, to continue the colony, etc., but simply just the stealing brood in the process of killing another colony. M. depilis can be founded and kept like any normal Myrmecocystus.

 

If it is considered dulotic to raid another colony to kill it or to raid it for food and in the process brood is taken and raised, then there's a giant list of genera and species that would be dulotic. Which, simply is not the case whatsoever.

Edited by ReignofRage, July 13 2023 - 7:25 PM.