This paper presents a computer-aided simulation of foraging behavior in seed-harvester ant species. The simulation is based on regression studies of running speed, net cost of transport, worker size, load mass, and distance. The results show that, as a function of its size, each worker has a maximum transport yield and an upper load limit. For yields other than this maximum, those obtained by larger workers transporting small loads are less than those obtained if the same loads are transported by smaller workers. In addition, there are two possible load sizes for the same yield.
© 1987 by the Ecological Society of America.