Maya Saar

University of Florida | UF · Department of Entomology and Nematology

Applying novel molecular methods for future management and control in several pest ant species.

Sampling in transects and sequencing Messor ants throughout Israel, towards unraveling new species and new classification of known ones.

Testing the role of learning in intra species competition between N1 and N2 while N1 definition is the colonies have advantage of learning under Lotka-Volterra model, and, N2 is the colonies of ignorance. In this point, we remark that no one of the users of Lotka-Volterra model, aim to intra species competition, although the fact that this model suit for mission if we change from 'species' to 'competitors'. After all the logistic curve (Verhulst 1838) is the base of the model (Lotka 1932), and logistic equation including the intra species competition. Further look show clearly that (dN_1)/dt=r_1 N_1 ((K_1-N_1)/K_1 ) is equal statement to N_1= K_1/(1+(e^(-rt)) ) . (see more in ' Using Lotka-Volterra model for testing hypothesis') Find out what is the cost for ignorance for N2 in terms of resource. Calculate foraging model for learning Using Lotka-Volterra model for testing hypothesis: We find the previous model suitable for the goals of this study after enormous number of studies (Holt 1985, Arditi et al. 2016, ). The model where tested in large number of cases and now days is a part of evolutionary ecology fundamentals ( ). Many outers expressed this model in advanced mathematical methods ( ) but we found that the classical fit our study. Lotka-Volterra model was originally aim to inter species competition ( ), but we use it in our study for intra species competitors. In doing this, and, by using the term 'competitors' instead of 'species', the learning advantage cam to be the major difference between competitors, in same way that the genetic variance is the difference between similar species ( ). In our research, Lotka-Volterra model is experimental tool we use for extracting the value of learning. The model: (dN_1)/dt=r_1 N_1 ((K_1-N_1)/K_1 ) , (dN_2)/dt=r_2 N_2 ((K_2-N_2)/K_2 ). For 2 competitors N1 vs N2: Competitor 1. (dN_1)/dt=r_1 N_1 ((K_1-N_1-αN_2)/K_1 ). Competitor 2. (dN_2)/dt=r_2 N_2 ((K_2-N_2-βN_1)/K_2 ). α : The effect an individual of competitor 2 has on the population growth of competitor 1. β: The effect an individual of competitor 1 has on the population growth of competitor 2. In terms of resource use N1 = K1 and N2 = K2 under the assumption that resource use is limitation of population ( ). In this case we are able to state that resource use equal to population size, and. If we represent the gain of resource exploitation in G, the all equation may be expressed: (dG_1)/dt=r_1 G_1 ((K_1-G_1-αG_2)/K_1 ) And (dG_2)/dt=r_2 G_2 ((K_2-G_2-βG_1)/K_2 ) α : The effect of resource use of competitor 2 has on the resource use of competitor 1. β: The effect of resource use of competitor 1 has on the resource use of competitor 2. For example, if 4 individuals of competitor 2 namely: N2 are equal to 1 competitor of N1 in their resource use, hence, the ratio is 1/4 and α = 0.25. In this point we are deal with resource use directly and state: G2/G1 = 1/4, α = 0.25. In experiments level we wish to see strong signification between G and N. Lotka-Volterra model lead as well to: 0=r_1 N_1 ((K_1-N_1-αN_2)/K_1 ) then K_1-N_1-αN_2=0 then N_1=K_1-αN_2 isocline 0 of population growth of N1 or N1 = K1. Since we use Lotka-Volterra model for experiment deal with intra species competition we do not need to compute the N2 competitor since both of them from same species. We give in the experiment only one advantage to N1; knowledge and training of solving a maze that N2 do not have as state in hypothesis.