Showing papers on "Lasius published in 1975"
TL;DR: Differently pigmented workers of Myrmica rubra societies were observed when stimulated by the ant Lasius flavus and showed different reactions primarily according to their age.
37 citations
TL;DR: A comparison of the abundances of six or seven species on and off the mounds provides a field practical suitable for senior school students and undergraduates.
Abstract: The mounds built by the yellow hill ant, Lasius fiavus, in British pastures have striking and consistent effects on the patterns of plant species. Winter annuals, for example, are often confined to the mounds, but many rosette perennials, though abundant in the surrounding grassland, are virtually absent from ant-hills. A comparison of the abundances of six or seven species on and off the mounds provides a field practical suitable for senior school students and undergraduates. The students discuss the sampling methods to be used, collect the data, analyse it, and discuss the factors which might influence the relative abundance of the plant species. This paper describes the practical in detail, and provides some background information about the ecology of the ants and some common grassland plants. Some suggestions for individual projects are put forward.
6 citations
TL;DR: The field ant, Lasius flavus provides an answer to the problem of demonstrating, in schools, the effect of an organism on its surroundings and the differences between anthill and undisturbed soil can be demonstrated.
Abstract: The field ant, Lasius flavus provides an answer to the problem of demonstrating, in schools, the effect of an organism on its surroundings. There is a simple pattern of plant distribution on the anthills which is different from the surrounding meadow and the differences between anthill and undisturbed soil can be demonstrated by simple experiments. These differences modified the environment of the ant colonies in ways which were favourable to their development. The anthill is a product of social organisation which is in some ways comparable to the attempts of human societies to control their environment.