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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is NOT a behavioral category for myrmecophiles?

2. Which of the following ant species is the most specialized granivore?

3. Which of the following provides the silk needed to weave the weaver ants' nest together?

4. What are bead glands also known as?

5. When Wilson wrote about studying harvester ants and the Old Testament, where was he located?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are trophobiants? Why are they compared to cattlers?

2. What is the first phase of nest building in a weaver ant colony? Why does this phase require teamwork?

3. How is an army ant defined?

4. What is an ant garden?

5. How do Teleutomyrmex schneideri ants survive?

6. What is acacia?

7. How does density specialization affect competition with ant species?

8. How did Moser discover ventilation systems in ant nests in Louisiana?

9. Why are Proceratium ants considered the most specialized of all egg predators?

10. What are the dangers of using an aspirator when collecting ant samples for study?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Each ant colony goes through three distinct phases of the life cycle. Explain what happens during the founding stages of an ant colony. Explain what happens during the ergonomic stages. Finally, explain what happens during the reproductive phase. How do all three of these phases work together as a life cycle?

Essay Topic 2

Ants communicate with one another in a variety of ways, and for a variety of purposes. List at least eight of the twelve categories of ant communication and explain which of these is the most common in ant colonies. Explain the four different ways through which ants communicate using their bodies, and describe each method of communication.

Essay Topic 3

One interesting way that ant colonies choose to expand is by becoming polygynus. Define a polygynus society. Explain the different ways colonies adopt a new queen and become polygynus. Finally, explain how the power within a polygynus society is affected as it grows? How that dispersed power affects organization within the colony.

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