Marking as a decision factor in the choice of a new resting site in Lasius niger

Abstract

In ants, aggregation is mainly based on the attraction between individuals. We confirmed the existence of ground marking in Lasius niger and demonstrated its influence on the aggregative behaviour of ants: the place of the gathering is leading by the existence of a ground marking which favours clustering by increasing the rate of the process but does not change the aggregation level. This factor could play a role in the choice of a new nest site and in the spatial distribution of ants inside the nest. This marking, presuming to have a long duration, could represent an external memory which could play an important role in various situations such as the choice of new nest or the reorganisation of ants after a disturbance.