Summary Carrying capacity - Research Paper Example

Insert Insert Grade Insert Research paper summary “Carrying capa Caterpillars of Maculinea butterfly are usually the major predators of the Myrmica ant species in their brooding stage. This research was conducted to verify the carrying capacity of the ant nest to support the species of the predator. The study presupposes that starvation might be the major cause of predator species and not a lesser carrying capacity of the predated species. This is due to review of available literature that point towards other causes of death of the ants in their nests.

The paper combines both laboratory and field experiments to assist in the determination of the carrying capacity of the stated ant species. The methodology employed is two pronged as mentioned. The laboratory study was first to be carried out. The study examined various components of the Maculinea arion like its feeding preferences, autumn food consumption and growth and the winter period weight loss. The sample size included a total of 69 caterpillars reared from the onset of their final instars in the late summer to the month of May.

In addition, each caterpillar was kept in a seven cubic centimeter plastic box that was furnished with a small piece of moist sponge. During that period, fresh food was supplied to the specimens after every 2-3 days to ensure that there was a surplus in the food given to them. It is also important to note that caterpillars were categorized into different sets with each set provided with a different food type and composition to enable the accurate determination of the objectives of this study.

Each caterpillar was also weighed weekly to and kept in a clean box with the resultant weight being recorded for each caterpillar. In addition to the variables obtained in the laboratory set up, published materials were also used for the purposes of the number and biomass of the immature stages of M. sabuleti that were available to final instar caterpillars of Maculinea orion. Finally, estimates were carried out from the mean body weight that was obtained 2 days before eclosion. The field study involved the examination of mortality rates of wild Maculinea arion adopted at different densities into Myrmica sabuleti nest.

This was measured during a five-year period study on site X. The study involved the introduction of the caterpillars at different stages of the duration with excavations and counting being done. The obtained data was subsequently being recorded to monitor the changes and effects of the different seasons, eating habits and species behavior. As a combination of the two methods and integration of data and information from secondary sources, the study made its findings and thereby, conclusions made on the basis of the findings.

Some of the major conclusions arrived at include the affirmation of one of the assumptions of that starvation is one of the influencing factors in caterpillar density or growth. The study also concluded that predation only occurs as a mechanism of ensuring the exploitation of resources in a Myrmica colony (Thomas and Wardlow 108). The carrying capacity of the species under investigation was found out to be over six times that of the caterpillar as established in site X of the field study as well as the laboratory study.

There were also findings that pointed out to the influence of the different seasons in the eating habits of the species under study.Work CitedThomas, J.A and Wardlow, J.C. “The Capacity of a Myrmica Ant Nest to Support a Predacious Species of Maculinea Butterfly.” Oecologia, Vol. 91, No. 1, (1992). pp. 101-109.