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Abstract
The interspecific relationships between the obligatory slave-making ant Polyergus rufescens and three host species belonging to the Formica fusca group (i.e. F. cunicularia, F. gagates, and F. rufibarbis) were analysed and quantified in the laboratory using an aggression test.
Fierce and immediate attacks accompanied by the elements typical of overt aggression (i.e. gaster flexing, seizing, dragging, and carrying) characterized the encounters between P. rufescens and two of the host species: F. gagates (90%) and F. rufibarbis (95%). By contrast, only 9 (45%) pairs of slave-maker and F. cunicularia individuals fought and these encounters were always interrupted by mutual antennal inspections accompanied by the items of ritualized aggressive behaviour (i.e. threat and upright posture).
The lower degree of aggression between P. rufescens and F. cunicularia compared with that occurring with the other two potential host species, could explain the presence of only F. cunicularia individuals as slaves in the natural dulotic colony of P. rufescens selected by us. This specificity of the host species is discussed on the basis of the presence of an early learning phenomenon which could cause the development of tradition in slave choice by a given population of P. rufescens.