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| -rw-r--r-- | document/biblio.tex | 8 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | document/conclusion.tex | 10 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | document/research.tex | 6 |
3 files changed, 12 insertions, 12 deletions
diff --git a/document/biblio.tex b/document/biblio.tex index 08d5c9d..5f672fb 100644 --- a/document/biblio.tex +++ b/document/biblio.tex @@ -9,11 +9,11 @@ Muvengwi, J., Davies, A. B., Parrini, F., \& Witkowski, E. T. F. (2018). Geology Bowen*, T., Cabello*, G., Gidden*, T., Schlueter, M., \& Cain, P. (2019). BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS INFLUENCING ANTLION PIT PLACEMENT **. Georgia Journal of Science, 77(1). Retrieved from \link{https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol77/iss1/72} -Barkae, E. D., Golan, O., \& Ovadia, O. (2014). Dangerous neighbors: Interactive effects of factors influencing cannibalism in pit-building antlion larvae. Behavioral Ecology, 25(6), 1311–1319. \link{https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/aru123} +Barkae, E. D., Golan, O., \& Ovadia, O. (2014). Dangerous neighbors: Interactive effects of factors influencing cannibalism in pit-building antlion larvae. Behavioral Ecology, 25(6), 1311--1319. \link{https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/aru123} -Scharf, I., Hollender, Y., Subach, A., \& Ovadia, O. (2008). Effect of spatial pattern and microhabitat on pit construction and relocation in Myrmeleon hyalinus (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) larvae. Ecological Entomology, 33(3), 337–345. \link{https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.2007.00967.x} +Scharf, I., Hollender, Y., Subach, A., \& Ovadia, O. (2008). Effect of spatial pattern and microhabitat on pit construction and relocation in Myrmeleon hyalinus (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) larvae. Ecological Entomology, 33(3), 337--345. \link{https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.2007.00967.x} -Crowley, P. H., \& Linton, M. C. (1999). Antlion Foraging: Tracking Prey Across Space and Time. Ecology, 80(7), 2271–2282. \link{https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1999)080[2271:AFTPAS]2.0.CO;2} +Crowley, P. H., \& Linton, M. C. (1999). Antlion Foraging: Tracking Prey Across Space and Time. Ecology, 80(7), 2271--2282. \link{https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1999)080[2271:AFTPAS]2.0.CO;2} -A. S Erasmus, B. F. N. *. (2000). A modelling approach to antlion (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) distribution patterns. African Entomology, 8(2), 157–168. +A. S Erasmus, B. F. N. *. (2000). A modelling approach to antlion (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) distribution patterns. African Entomology, 8(2), 157--168. } diff --git a/document/conclusion.tex b/document/conclusion.tex index c968532..87324af 100644 --- a/document/conclusion.tex +++ b/document/conclusion.tex @@ -1,9 +1,9 @@ Pit depth and width correlate strongly with trial area, as demonstrated by graph one, which relates the two. The pit positioning of antlions (as a group and as individuals) likely varies solely to maximize ant capture. -Therefore, this phenomenon is observed because antlions’ pits don’t need to be as big when the main constraint on ants falling into the pit is simply having a pit available for them to fall into. -This is also observable by the trials’ decreasing number of visible pits (versus total antlions introduced) with respect to size: they start to hide underground because rather than simply having smaller pits than stronger antlions, they have to rest underground, possibly to preserve group wellbeing. -Graph 2 indicates a similar trend---antlions’ territory as described by the nearest neighbor calculation is much lower in smaller containers. -This is the natural consequence of less area being available but demonstrates that the effects of hiding don’t completely level the density of antlion pits based on population per area. -Additionally, deaths remain minimal even in highly crowded conditions like the 8x7, which means that deaths are probably accidental at worst and antlions work to preserve the group’s chances of surviving. +Therefore, this phenomenon is observed because antlions' pits don't need to be as big when the main constraint on ants falling into the pit is simply having a pit available for them to fall into. +This is also observable by the trials' decreasing number of visible pits (versus total antlions introduced) with respect to size: they start to hide underground because rather than simply having smaller pits than stronger antlions, they have to rest underground, possibly to preserve group wellbeing. +Graph 2 indicates a similar trend---antlions' territory as described by the nearest neighbor calculation is much lower in smaller containers. +This is the natural consequence of less area being available but demonstrates that the effects of hiding don't completely level the density of antlion pits based on population per area. +Additionally, deaths remain minimal even in highly crowded conditions like the 8x7, which means that deaths are probably accidental at worst and antlions work to preserve the group's chances of surviving. The earlier hypothesis was proven to be correct, as the correlation between a smaller trial size and more extreme behaviors (such as cannibalism and reclusiveness) is supported by the data, as an increase in cannibalism was seen in lower treatment groups, hinting towards more aggressive behavior at lower trial groups, thereby proving the hypothesis. diff --git a/document/research.tex b/document/research.tex index 4958f32..3ee4b38 100644 --- a/document/research.tex +++ b/document/research.tex @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -To design the experiment and understand the organisms’ underlying behaviors which might affect it, extensive background research was required---specifically on their spatial distribution patterns. +To design the experiment and understand the organisms' underlying behaviors which might affect it, extensive background research was required---specifically on their spatial distribution patterns. First, a previous study analyzing the spatial patterning and structure of termite mounds in an African savanna was examined to better understand the procedure of the experiment. This study examined how different termite colonies in the African savanna positioned themselves in relation to one another, and uncovered that termite mounds each neighbor sic other termite mounds at a relatively constant distance, creating uniform hexagons of termite mounds through the savannah. Furthermore, this study uncovered that termite mounds must maintain a constant distance from each other to prevent conflict between termite colonies, which would limit the overall success of the species. @@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ This helped determine the dependent variable---size/density constraints---to exa Finally, these studies determined that antlions have a tendency to cannibalize each other in times of food shortage and significant competition. This provided another dependent variable to track over time and examine as size decreased, as cannibalized antlions were unsuccessfully metabolized and evident in pits. -Lastly, a series of studies about antlion dispersal pattern called the “Doughnut theory” were examined to better understand the current scientific knowledge surrounding antlion dispersal patterns. -These papers determined that antlions naturally position themselves in a “doughnut”, in which a ring of antlions circle a center point or food source to limit competition for ants, as each antlion has equal access to the food source. +Lastly, a series of studies about antlion dispersal pattern called the ``Doughnut theory'' were examined to better understand the current scientific knowledge surrounding antlion dispersal patterns. +These papers determined that antlions naturally position themselves in a ``doughnut'', in which a ring of antlions circle a center point or food source to limit competition for ants, as each antlion has equal access to the food source. This study also concluded that when antlions are introduced one by one the same results occur, which confirmed that the procedure could introduce one antlion at a time without interfering with results and spatial patterns, helping further perfect and standardize the procedure, as well as provide a better understanding of antlions behavior patterns. These studies provided a better understanding of antlion settlement patterns and gave a guideline for what to expect as trials continued. Finally these studies provided scientific procedures that could be tested and confirmed throughout the experiment, allowing for a source to cross-check results and procedures with in order to perfect the procedure of the experiment. |