The construction process and use of galleries by Azteca brevis (Myrmicinae: Dolichoderinae) inhabiting Tetrathylacium macrophyllum (Salicaceae) were compared with Allomerus decemarticulatus (Myrmicinae: Solenopsidini) galleries on Hirtella physophora (Chrysobalanaceae). Though the two ant species are phylogenetically distant, the gallery structure seems to be surprisingly similar and structurally convergent: both are pierced with numerous holes and both ant species use Chaetothyrialean fungi to strengthen the gallery walls. Al. decemarticulatus is known to use the galleries for prey capture and whether this is also the case for Az. brevis was tested in field experiments. We placed Atta workers as potential prey/threat on the galleries and recorded the behaviour of both ant species. We found considerable behavioural differences between them: Al. decemarticulatus was quicker and more efficient at capture than was Az. brevis. While most Atta workers were captured after the first 5 min by Al. decemarticulatus, significantly fewer were captured by Az. brevis even after 20 min. Moreover, the captured Atta were sometimes simply discarded and not taken to the nest by Az. brevis. As a consequence, the major function of the galleries built by Az. brevis may, therefore, be defense against intruders in contrast to Al. decemarticulatus which uses them mainly for prey capture. This may be due to a higher need for protein in Al. decemarticulatus compared to coccid-raising Az. brevis.

中文翻译：

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两种不相关的新热带植物蚂蚁菌丝道的收敛结构和功能

将居住在 Tetrathylacium macrophyllum (Salicaceae) 的 Azteca brevis (Myrmicinae: Dolichoderinae) 的画廊的建造过程和使用与在 Hirtella physophora (Chrysobalanaceae) 上的 Allomerus decemarticulatus (Myrmicinae: Solenopsidini) 画廊进行比较。尽管这两种蚂蚁物种在系统发育上相距甚远，但通道结构似乎惊人地相似且结构上趋同：两者都刺有许多孔洞，并且两种蚂蚁物种都使用毛壳类真菌来加强通道壁。阿尔。众所周知，decemarticulatus 使用画廊捕获猎物，Az 是否也是这种情况。brevis 在现场实验中进行了测试。我们将 Atta 工人作为画廊的潜在猎物/威胁，并记录了两种蚂蚁物种的行为。我们发现他们之间存在相当大的行为差异：Al。decemarticulatus 比 Az 更快、更有效地捕获。短。虽然大多数 Atta 工人在前 5 分钟后被 Al 捕获。decemarticulatus，Az 捕获的数量明显减少。即使在 20 分钟后也很短。此外，捕获的 Atta 有时会被简单地丢弃而不是被 Az 带到巢穴中。短。因此，由 Az 建造的画廊的主要功能。因此，与 Al 相比，brevis 可以防御入侵者。decemarticulatus 主要使用它们来捕获猎物。这可能是由于铝中对蛋白质的需求更高。decemarticulatus 与培养球虫的 Az 相比。短。即使在 20 分钟后也很短。此外，捕获的 Atta 有时会被简单地丢弃而不是被 Az 带到巢穴中。短。因此，由 Az 建造的画廊的主要功能。因此，与 Al 相比，brevis 可以防御入侵者。decemarticulatus 主要使用它们来捕获猎物。这可能是由于铝中对蛋白质的需求更高。decemarticulatus 与培养球虫的 Az 相比。短。即使在 20 分钟后也很短。此外，捕获的 Atta 有时会被简单地丢弃而不是被 Az 带到巢穴中。短。因此，由 Az 建造的画廊的主要功能。因此，与 Al 相比，brevis 可以防御入侵者。decemarticulatus 主要使用它们来捕获猎物。这可能是由于铝中对蛋白质的需求更高。decemarticulatus 与培养球虫的 Az 相比。短。