Cataglyphis ants, commonly known as CATA- (CAT- KATA- KAT-), are a genus of ants that are distinguished by their remarkable navigational abilities. These ants are capable of traversing long distances in a short period of time, and they are even capable of finding their way back to their nest in unfamiliar environments (Guez & Labhart, 2012).
The navigational abilities of CATA- ants can be attributed to their advanced cognitive skills and their ability to use visual cues for navigation. For example, these ants are able to remember a range of visual features in their environment, such as the location of prominent landmarks, and use them to orient themselves (Guez & Labhart, 2012). Moreover, CATA- ants are able to use path integration, which involves the use of a mental map of the environment based on previous experiences, to aid in their navigation (Guez & Labhart, 2012).
In addition to their navigational abilities, CATA- ants are also capable of complex social interactions. These ants are capable of determining the dominance hierarchy within their colony, and they are able to recognize, remember, and respond to individual ants in their colony (Guez & Labhart, 2012). Furthermore, CATA- ants are capable of recognizing and responding to the presence of other ant species, and they are able to accurately identify members of their own species (Guez & Labhart, 2012).
The navigational abilities and social capabilities of CATA- ants are remarkable, and they have been the subject of much study. For example, researchers have used CATA- ants as a model system to study the neural basis of navigation (Guez & Labhart, 2012). Moreover, the social interactions of CATA- ants have been used to study the evolution of complex social behavior in insect societies (Guez & Labhart, 2012).
Overall, CATA- ants are an important model species for understanding the evolutionary basis of navigation and social behavior. The remarkable navigational and social capabilities of this species provide insight into the evolution of complex behaviors, and they are a valuable tool for studying the underlying neural mechanisms.
References
Guez, D., & Labhart, T. (2012). The navigational skills of Cataglyphis ants. Current Biology, 22(13), R536-R541.