Ants Can Expect the Size of the Next Element in a Geometric Sequence of Increasing or Decreasing Shapes, Only If This Sequence Is Present

Abstract

Having shown that the ant Myrmica sabuleti can expect the following number in an arithmetic sequence of increasing or decreasing numbers, we here investigated on their ability in expecting the size of the following element in an increasing or decreasing geometric sequence of shapes, otherwise identical. We found that the ants could anticipatively correctly increment or decrement a geometric sequence when tested in the presence of the learned sequence, but not without seeing the sequence in its learned sequential order. Such a behavior, i.e. perfectly choosing the next element of a sequence when in presence of that sequence but not otherwise, seems appropriate for the use of encountered cues while foraging and returning to the nest.

A Synthesis of Six Recent Studies on Numerosity Abilities in an Ant

“…For the second study, the cues were 1 to 6 such circles (Cammaerts & Cammaerts, 2021b). For the third work, they were 1 to 6 blue or yellow squares with an area of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 mm 2 (Cammaerts & Cammaerts, 2021c). For the fourth study, the cues were black squares, stars and triangles, or black, yellow and orange squares, or black parallelograms of different dimensions, or black squares differently located on the stand (Cammaerts & Cammaerts, 2021d).…”

“…During our third study, the ants were trained to blue squares having successively an area of 1, 2, 4 and 8 mm 2 , or to yellow squares having successively an area of 32, 16, 8, and 4 mm 2 . They were then tested in front of respectively blue or yellow squares having an area of 1 to 32 mm 2 (Cammaerts & Cammaerts, 2021c).…”

The Workers of the Ant Myrmica sabuleti can Learn and Use a Sequence of Four Odors to Navigate between Nest and Food Site

“…For example, they can add and subtract odors [9], and can associate odors with the time period of the day during which they were perceived [10]. They can also guess the following element of an increasing or a decreasing arithmetic or geometric sequence, being thus able to perceive and memorize a sequence [11,12]. They can later on apply what they have acquired through operant conditioning [13].…”