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Studies of symbiotic bacteria have demonstrated that they provide multiple benefits to their hosts. These studies, however, have overlooked the importance of interactions with other bacteria and environmental factors that affect bacterial assemblages. To understand what shapes bacterial assemblages, I manipulated the diet of ants from the genus Cephalotes and disturbed their gut microbiome. I found that a deficit of nitrogen reduces bacterial densities. Furthermore, the data suggest that bacterial abundance may influence ant survival. I followed this experiment up by manipulating a putative protein source in the field. Our lab assigned Allomerus octoarticulatus ant colonies to treatments in which potential prey were present or absent. I collected data on foraging behaviour, colony performance, and composition of the bacterial community. The absence of prey increased ant recruitment to protein-rich baits; these ants were also less fit than ants that had insect prey but their bacterial assemblages were not affected.

Studies of symbiotic bacteria have demonstrated that they provide multiple benefits to their hosts. These studies, however, have overlooked the importance of interactions with other bacteria and environmental factors that affect bacterial assemblages. To understand what shapes bacterial assemblages, I manipulated the diet of ants from the genus Cephalotes and disturbed their gut microbiome. I found that a deficit of nitrogen reduces bacterial densities. Furthermore, the data suggest that bacterial abundance may influence ant survival. I followed this experiment up by manipulating a putative protein source in the field. Our lab assigned Allomerus octoarticulatus ant colonies to treatments in which potential prey were present or absent. I collected data on foraging behaviour, colony performance, and composition of the bacterial community. The absence of prey increased ant recruitment to protein-rich baits; these ants were also less fit than ants that had insect prey but their bacterial assemblages were not affected.

Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-173) / Microfiche. / xi, 173 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (master's)--Göteborg University, 1998. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Mar. 5, 2008). "21 October 1998." Includes bibliographical references (p. 22-23).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-158). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.) in Biochemistry--University of Maine, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-182).

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.