title: Density- and size-dependent spacing of ant nests: evidence for intraspecific competition.
abstract: We present three lines of evidence which each suggest that intraspecific competition has significantly influenced the spacing patterns of Formica altipetens colonies. First, nearest-neighbor analysis of nest spacing patterns detected significant uniformity in six of eight plots. Second, there was a signifcant increase in the distance separating nearest neighbors as ant nest diameters increased. Third, ant nest density predicted substantial variation in the colony dispersion index, indicating the existence of a dispersion continuum at our study site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 86011, Flagstaff, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: J Hall
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cushman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 86011, Flagstaff, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Martinsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 86011, Flagstaff, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Mazeroll
keywords: Formica altipetens; Intraspecific competition; Nearest-neighbor analysis; Nest size and density