An Experimental Study of Diffuse Competition in Harvester Ants
- 1 April 1985
- journal article
- research article
- Published by University of Chicago Press in The American Naturalist
- Vol. 125 (4) , 500-506
- https://doi.org/10.1086/284358
Abstract
Experiments carried out over 5 yr in the Chihuahuan Desert [Mexico] support the a priori prediction of diffuse competition between 2 spp. of harvester ants. Despite dietary overlap between a large species (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) and a small species (Pheidole xerophila), the large species facilitates the small species indirectly by suppressing populations of an intermediate-size species (Pogonomyrmex desertorum). Although similar indirect interactions may occur frequently in natural communities and be predictable on the basis of body size, very long-term studies may be necessary to demonstrate their effects experimentally.This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
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