Dissertation Research: Granivory in a Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem: Interactions of Harvester Ant Foraging and Native Seed Patches

在干旱的生态系统中，食草动物和种子之间的相互作用会产生重要的后果。然而，人们对花岗岩动物对种子资源特征的具体行为反应知之甚少。结合三个空间尺度的实地调查和模拟建模的一系列研究将解决一种重要的灌木-草原花岗岩动物，西部收获蚁及其种子资源之间的相互作用。研究范围从个体蚂蚁觅食行为的机制分析到测量群体组织和资源利用模式的各个方面。行为方法和资源方法的结合将提高我们对干旱环境中普遍存在的相互作用的理解。

Reciprocal interactions between granivorous animals and seeds can have important consequences in arid ecosystems. However, the specific behavioral responses of granivores to seed resource characteristics are poorly understood. A series of studies that combine field investigations at three spatial scales and simulation modelling will address the interactions between an important shrub-steppe granivore, the western harvester ant, and its seed resources. Studies range from a mechanistic analysis of individual ant foraging behavior in native seed patches to measuring various aspects of colony organization and patterns of resource use. An integration of behavioral and resource-based approaches will improve our understanding of interactions that are widespread among arid environments.