Long-Term Stability of Ant Colonies--A Simulation Model

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Abstract
A model of biomass dynamics in colonies of the ant Myrmica limanica ssp. jacobsoni Kutter is based on a directly proportional relationship of biomass production in a colony to the biomass of workers at the beginning of the season; a relationship in the proportion of castes (biomass of workers to biomass of sexual forms) to the age structure of workers belonging to the preceding generations; a relation of the age structure of workers to the number of foragers and their mortality. The model consists of 6 difference equations. Their numerical solutions are in good agreement with empirical values. Colonies are characterized by stable equilibrium for all variables: biomass of old and young workers, production, foraging index and the mortality of workers. The location of these equilibrium points does not depend on initial conditions. The most important stabilizing factor is the relation of the mortality of old workers to the foraging index. The allocation of production between workers and sexual forms delays the return of the variables to the equilibrium values. Heavy winter mortality is an important factor disturbing the equilibrium conditions of a colony. Since heavy winter mortality happens every few years, and it takes about 10 yr to reach the equilibrium state, the colony is permanently beyond the equilibrium state.

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