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Myrmecology
Myrmecology (; from Greek: μύρμηξ, ''myrmex'', "ant" and λόγος, ''logos'', "study") is a branch of entomology focusing on the study of ants. Ants continue to be a model of choice for the study of questions on the evolution of social systems because of their complex and varied forms of social organization. Their diversity and prominence in ecosystems also has made them important components in the study of biodiversity and conservation. In the 2000s, ant colonies began to be studied and modeled for their relevance in machine learning, complex interactive networks, stochasticity of encounter and interaction networks, parallel computing, and other computing fields. History The word myrmecology was coined by William Morton Wheeler (1865–1937), although human interest in the life of ants goes back to ancient times. The earliest scientific thinking based on observation of ant life was that of Auguste Forel (1848–1931), a Swiss psychologist who initially was interest ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Auguste Forel
Auguste-Henri Forel (; 1 September 1848 – 27 July 1931) was a Swiss myrmecologist, neuroanatomist, psychiatrist and former eugenicist, notable for his investigations into the structure of the human brain and that of ants. He is considered a co-founder of the neuron theory. Forel is also known for his early contributions to sexology and psychology. From 1978 until 2000 Forel's image appeared on the 1000 Swiss franc banknote. Early life Born in 1848 in a villa ''La Gracieuse'', at Morges, on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, to Victor Forel a pious Swiss Calvinist and Pauline Morin, a French Huguenot he was brought up in a protective household. Auguste Forel was born in 1848 at Morges on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. His great uncle, who was an entomologist, introduced Forel to insect natural history when he was young. After reading a book by Pierre Huber, he became interested in ants. Education He went to school at Morges and Lausanne. In 1866 he began his studies at the University o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Entomology
Entomology (from Ancient Greek ἔντομον (''éntomon''), meaning "insect", and -logy from λόγος (''lógos''), meaning "study") is the branch of zoology that focuses on insects. Those who study entomology are known as entomologists. In the past, the term ''insect'' was less specific, and historically the definition of entomology would also include the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans. The field is also referred to as insectology in American English, while in British English insectology implies the study of the relationships between insects and humans. Over 1.3million insect species have been described by entomology. History Entomology is rooted in nearly all human cultures from prehistoric times, primarily in the context of agriculture (especially biological control and beekeeping). The natural Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder (23–79 CE) wrote a book on the kinds of insects, while the scientist Grammarians ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
William Steel Creighton
William Steel Creighton (April 3, 1902, Philadelphia – July 23, 1973, Alexandria Bay) was an American myrmecologist and taxonomist. His work focused on ants of North America, including an extensive revision of their systematics published in 1950. Family W. S. Creighton was the son of John Harvey Creighton and Ethel Steel Creighton. Academic career Creighton obtained a bachelor's degree from Roanoke College in 1924, a M. S. degree from Princeton University in 1926 and a D. Sc. degree from Harvard University in 1930. While working with the entomologist Frank Eugene Lutz in 1926, he became interested in the study of ants and continued his studies under William Morton Wheeler, one of the leading authorities in myrmecology. In 1931 Creighton joined the Department of Biology at the City College of New York where he stayed until his retirement as professor emeritus in February 1962. Awards Creighton was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship Guggenheim Fellowships a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polydomy
An ant colony is a population of ants, typically from a single species, capable of maintaining their complete lifecycle. Ant colonies are eusocial, communal, and efficiently organized and are very much like those found in other social Hymenoptera, though the various groups of these developed sociality independently through convergent evolution. The typical colony consists of one or more egg-laying queens, numerous sterile females (workers, soldiers) and, seasonally, many winged sexual males and females. In order to establish new colonies, ants undertake flights that occur at species-characteristic times of the day. Swarms of the winged sexuals (known as alates) depart the nest in search of other nests. The males die shortly thereafter, along with most of the females. A small percentage of the females survive to initiate new nests. Etymology The term "ant colony" refers to a population of workers, reproductive individuals, and brood that live together, cooperate, and treat one ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
