Brito, Marília Romão Bitar deItabaiana, Yasmine AntoniniLopes, Vitor LeandroCristiano, Maykon PassosLima, Aline U. N.Costa, Fernanda Vieira da2021-10-132021-10-132020BRITO, M. R. B. de. et al. Dump size and distance from the nest define the investment in waste management in Sericomyrmex mayri (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini). Ecología Austral, v. 30, n. 2, p. 199-204, ago. 2020. Disponível em: <http://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/article/view/1036>. Acesso em: 12 maio 2021.0327-5477http://www.repositorio.ufop.br/jspui/handle/123456789/13860The farming system practiced by non-leaf-cutting ants Sericomyrmex mayri (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini) involves a mutualistic interaction with symbiotic fungi. Their colonies’ success depends on several factors, such as the fungus garden protection against pathogens. Garden contamination may depend on the aspects involved in waste management. However, specific local conditions, including nest and dump sizes, nest-dump distances and abiotic conditions are relevant and overlooked, especially for non-leaf-cutting ants. We aimed to explore the natural history involved in Sericomyrmex mayri waste management. Hence, we documented the relationships between 1) the foraging rate and waste removal activities with dump size, 2) the size of refuse dumps and their distance from nest entrances, and 3) the foraging activity and the rate of waste disposal with climatic conditions. The study was developed in the Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil, wherein 33 colonies’ activities were monitored for three consecutive days, during different day-periods. More prominent dumps received less waste and were located at further distances from the nest. Additionally, daily temperature and humidity positively influenced waste disposal and foraging activities, respectively. These findings provide information on how dump size and distance from the nest may define the investment of waste management of non-leaf-cutting ants.en-USabertoFungus gardenMutualismFungus-growing antsArtigo publicado em periodicoLos autores de los trabajos publicados por la revista Ecología Austral conservan los derechos de autor y ceden a la revista el derecho de la primera publicación, con el trabajo registrado con la licencia de atribución de Creative Commons, que permite a terceros utilizar lo publicado siempre que mencionen la autoría del trabajo y a la primera publicación en esta revista. Fonte: Revista Ecología Austral <http://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/about/submissions#authorGuidelines> . Acesso em: 11 maio 2021.https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.20.30.2.0.1036