Isparta University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Forestry
Doi
Abstract
This study investigates how thermoregulation strategies and foraging behavior in red wood ants (Formica rufa) vary according to nest volume. The effects of these behavioral and physiological adaptations on nest microclimate and colony organization were comparatively assessed in a semi-arid forest ecosystem. The research was conducted on four nests of varying volumes located in the Research Forest of Çankırı Karatekin University. Temperature sensors were installed in each nest to monitor surface, interior, and surrounding soil temperatures hourly over one year. In spring, thermal imaging was used to analyze surface temperatures, while foraging trails were mapped using a grid system. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc tests. Results showed that larger nests maintained more stable internal temperatures. Sun basking behavior increased surface temperatures and contributed to thermoregulation. A positive correlation was found between nest volume and both foraging area and trail length. Ants were observed to selectively forage from specific trees, indicating strategic resource use. In conclusion, F. rufa exhibits both physiological and behavioral adaptations to environmental stress, with nest volume playing a key role in thermal regulation and foraging dynamics. These adaptations enhance colony survival and contribute significantly to forest ecosystem processes
