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Harvard Forest REU Symposium Abstract 2010

  • Title: Heat Tolerances of Northeastern United States Ants Explored to Elucidate Potential Effects of Climate Change on Forest Ant Populations and Communities
  • Author: Erik W Oberg (Texas A&M University)
  • Abstract:

    In this study we determined the heat tolerances of Northeastern United States ants and described related traits. Our overarching objective was to determine the highest temperature at which activity of New England ants becomes unfeasible. We hypothesized that heat tolerances of the ants tested from our study site, the Harvard Forest, would differ by species and be related to body size and ability to resist desiccation. Heat tolerance, changes in weight due to desiccation, and Weber’s length were determined with in vitro experiments for each species tested. The heat tolerance experiment consisted of brief heat exposure to escalating temperatures using a digital dry bath. Heat tolerances ranged from 36 to 44 degrees Celsius and differed by species. Generally, higher tolerance was related to larger body size and ability to resist desiccation. Our study indicates sensitivity of certain important New England ant species to rising temperatures. We recommend, as climate change continues, ant populations and forest communities should be closely monitored for loss of key forest services, such as seed dispersal and wood debris breakdown, if ant heat tolerances are reached.

  • Research Category: Physiological Ecology, Population Dynamics, and Species Interactions; Regional Studies