# 🐜 Context-dependent expression of the foraging gene in field colonies of ants

**Daniel A. Friedman, Anna Pilko, Doriane Skowronski, Krista Kerber, Noa Pinter-Wollman, Deborah M. Gordon** (2016) · *Proceedings of the Royal Society B*

[![DOI](https://img.shields.io/badge/DOI-10.1098%2Frspb.2016.0841-blue)](https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.0841)

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## Abstract

> This study investigates the context-dependent expression of the foraging gene in harvester ants, focusing on how age, environment, and task influence gene regulation. By examining field colonies, we reveal that foraging gene expression varies with ontogenetic changes and daily activity rhythms, highlighting the complex interplay between genetic regulation and behavioral plasticity.

## Keywords

`foraging gene` · `Pogonomyrmex barbatus` · `harvester ants` · `gene expression` · `circadian rhythms` · `task allocation` · `division of labor` · `field study` · `behavioral ecology`

## Key Contributions

- Demonstrated the context-dependent regulation of the foraging gene in harvester ants.
- Provided evidence of daily oscillations in foraging gene expression linked to activity rhythms.
- Investigated the effects of light exposure on foraging gene expression in different task groups.
- Highlighted the importance of temporal patterns in behavioral gene expression for understanding social insect behavior.

## Methods

- Collected harvester ants from natural populations and categorized them into age- and task-related groups.
- Conducted field experiments to measure foraging gene expression at different times of day.
- Manipulated light conditions to assess their impact on foraging gene expression.
- Analyzed the correlation between foraging gene expression and the circadian clock gene.

## 🎯 Consulting & Tutoring

**Available for AI Research Consulting and Tutoring.** [Contact Daniel Ari Friedman, PhD](https://danielarifriedman.com/) for collaboration on Active Inference, Bayesian modeling, and computational biology.

## Citation

```bibtex
@article{2016_ForagingGene,
  author = {Daniel A. Friedman, Anna Pilko, Doriane Skowronski, Krista Kerber, Noa Pinter-Wollman, Deborah M. Gordon},
  title = {{Context-dependent expression of the foraging gene in field colonies of ants}},
  journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B},
  year = {2016},
  doi = {10.1098/rspb.2016.0841},
}
```

## File Inventory

- `AGENTS.md` (2,179 bytes)
- `2016_ForagingGene.pdf` (536,684 bytes)
- `README.md` (2,712 bytes)
- `SKILL.md` (2,122 bytes)