2. “You So Crazy!” Paratrechina longicornus (Crazy Ant) Exchange from Biosphere 2 to Surrounding Area SEE-U 2000

3. SEE-U 2000: B2C Onamia, Taylor, Amelia, Nicole, Angela, Tim, Don And, James!

4. Introduction to Crazy Ants Paratrechina longicornusParatrechina longicornus –Introduced species from India or Africa –Highly adaptable to various living conditions –Characterized by erratic movements and unusually long antenna –Accidentally introduced into Biosphere 2 in 1991, crowding out all other ant species –To this date, the Crazy Ants are the dominant insects in all the B2C biomes

5. Questions Is there an exchange of Crazy Ants between Biosphere 2 and surrounding area? How do they enter? Do the Crazy Ants change the total amount of biomass and liquids in Biosphere 2 in a given time?

6. Questions What is the influx rate of the total biomass carried into B2C by Crazy Ants?What is the influx rate of the total biomass carried into B2C by Crazy Ants? How much additional biomass is brought into B2C via Crazy Ants?How much additional biomass is brought into B2C via Crazy Ants?

7. Assumptions Crazy Ants enter Biosphere 2 once a dayCrazy Ants enter Biosphere 2 once a day Rate of entrance is constantRate of entrance is constant Time of day, season, and conditions do not affect rateTime of day, season, and conditions do not affect rate Each ant is capable of carrying an equivalent amount of biomass and liquidEach ant is capable of carrying an equivalent amount of biomass and liquid All entrances into B2C were locatedAll entrances into B2C were located

8. Methodology Entry points are enumerated by visual observationEntry points are enumerated by visual observation Engorged, normal, and foraging ants are counted during ten 30-minute periodsEngorged, normal, and foraging ants are counted during ten 30-minute periods –Engorged and normal ants are collected, frozen, and weighed –Biomass carried by foraging ants is collected and weighed

9. Results Engorged ants are 159% the weight of normal antsEngorged ants are 159% the weight of normal ants Engorged ants comprise 29.5% of the returning foragersEngorged ants comprise 29.5% of the returning foragers There were 24 entry holes into B2CThere were 24 entry holes into B2C  Total estimated biomass entering B2c per year equals 6.37 kg.  Total estimated liquid weight entering B2C per year = 37.96 kg.  Total estimated number of individuals entering B2C per year = 131.69 million  = Gross underestimates

10. Total Biomass

11. Rate of Entry

12. Conclusions Biosphere 2 is greatly impacted by the influx of biomass and liquid brought in by the Crazy AntsBiosphere 2 is greatly impacted by the influx of biomass and liquid brought in by the Crazy Ants The exchange between Biosphere 2 and its surroundings is not limited to gas-exchangeThe exchange between Biosphere 2 and its surroundings is not limited to gas-exchange

13. Fin!