Title

Kleptoparasitism of Harvester Ants by the Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ingens) in the Carrizo Plain, California.

Authors

Kline, Matthew Polvorosa; Alvarez, Jeff A.; Parizeau, Nicole

Abstract

Abstract. Kangaroo rats are reported to have a mutualistic relationship with harvester ants through facilitation of burrow establishment, creation, and persistence. The relationship can, however, become more complex. We report observations of the giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens), a state and federally listed endangered species, repeatedly kleptoparasitizing harvester ants from a nearby nest in the Carrizo Plain, California. Though the relationship between kangaroo rats and harvester ants has been studied extensively and is believed to be mutualistic, under certain conditions this relationship can follow an alternate path of parasitism.

Subjects

CARRIZO Plain (Calif.); CALIFORNIA; KANGAROO rats; KLEPTOPARASITISM; HARVESTER ants; MUTUALISM (Biology); ENDANGERED species; ANIMAL behavior

Publication

Western North American Naturalist, 2018, Vol 78, Issue 2, p208

ISSN

1527-0904

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.3398/064.078.0212