Data from: Characterization of recruitment through tandem running in an Indian queenless ant Diacamma indicum

Tandem running is a primitive recruitment method employed by many ant genera. This study characterizes this behaviour during the recruitment of colony mates to a new nest in an Indian ant Diacamma indicum. Tandem leaders who have knowledge of the new nest lead a single follower at a time, to the destination by maintaining physical contact. In order to characterize tandem running, we captured and analysed 621 invitations, 217 paths and 226 termination events. Remarkably, not a single colony member was lost. While invitations were stereotypic in behaviour, termination was not. Analysis of speed revealed that the average transport speed was 4.2 cm s−1. Coupled adult-brood transport was slower than other transports but was more efficient than individual trips. Comparing tandem running with other popular recruitment methods in ants allows us to postulate that even though tandem running is primitive it is probably just another means to achieve the same end.串联行进（Tandem running）是诸多蚂蚁属所采用的一种原始招募行为方式。本研究针对印度双刺猛蚁（Diacamma indicum）将巢群同伴招募至新巢穴过程中的串联行进行为展开了特征描述。熟知新巢穴位置的串联行进领头蚁，每次仅带领一只跟随蚁，通过保持身体接触的方式抵达目的地。为了对串联行进行为进行系统表征，我们共采集并分析了621次招募邀请事件、217条行进路径以及226起行进终止事件。值得注意的是，本次研究中未有任何巢群个体走失。尽管招募邀请行为具有固定的刻板模式，但行进终止事件则并无统一规律。速度分析结果显示，平均行进速度为4.2厘米每秒。成蚁与抚育体结伴行进的速度慢于其他行进类型，但相较于单次单独行进效率更高。将串联行进与蚂蚁中其他主流招募方式进行对比后，我们可以推断：尽管串联行进属于较为原始的招募行为，但它或许只是达成同一招募目标的另一种途径。