Data from: Characterization of recruitment through tandem running in an Indian queenless ant Diacamma indicum

Tandem running is a primitive recruitment method employed by many ant genera. This study characterizes this behaviour during the recruitment of colony mates to a new nest in an Indian ant Diacamma indicum. Tandem leaders who have knowledge of the new nest lead a single follower at a time, to the destination by maintaining physical contact. In order to characterize tandem running, we captured and analysed 621 invitations, 217 paths and 226 termination events. Remarkably, not a single colony member was lost. While invitations were stereotypic in behaviour, termination was not. Analysis of speed revealed that the average transport speed was 4.2 cm s−1. Coupled adult-brood transport was slower than other transports but was more efficient than individual trips. Comparing tandem running with other popular recruitment methods in ants allows us to postulate that even though tandem running is primitive it is probably just another means to achieve the same end.

串跑行为（Tandem running）是诸多蚁属昆虫采用的一种原始群体招募方式。本研究针对印度双刺猛蚁（Diacamma indicum）将蚁群同伴招募至新巢过程中的该行为展开特征化分析。知晓新巢位置的串跑领队每次仅带领单只跟随者，通过保持身体接触引导其抵达目的地。为完成串跑行为的特征化研究，我们共采集并分析了621次招募邀请、217条行进路径以及226次行为终止事件。值得注意的是，所有蚁群成员均未出现走失情况。尽管招募邀请行为呈现出模式化的特征，但行为终止事件则无统一规律。速度分析结果显示，平均行进速度为4.2厘米每秒。携带着成体与幼体的协同运输行为相较于其他运输方式速度更慢，但比单次独行的运输效率更高。将串跑行为与蚁类中其他主流招募方法进行对比后，我们可以推断：尽管串跑行为属于较为原始的招募手段，但它或许只是达成同一目标的另一种途径。