Cataglyphis fortis

This is one of two species of Cataglyphis (also Cataglyphis bicolor) that have had their foraging behavior intensively studied. Much of this work has focused on navigation. This includes studies of their directional abilities, use of path integration, view-based landmark guidance, and how information from these various navigational routines are combined in determining where they decide to move. These ants are now a model organism and system for the study of animal navigation. Rüdiger Wehner has been at the center of much of this Cataglyphis research. He recently published an account of how he began and then continued studying C. bicolor and C. fortis in the field in and around Mahrès, Tunisia (Wehner 2019). Wehner's seasonal field work there, with other researchers and students, has been ongoing for 50 years. The body of knowledge from this and other researchers' work studying ant navigation has provided a remarkable accounting of how ants, and animals in general, can track and monitor their movement in ways that allow for sophisticated decision making.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Algeria, Iraq.

Nomenclature

 *  fortis. Myrmecocystus albicans var. fortis Forel, 1902a: 156 (w.) ALGERIA. Wehner, 1983: 95 (q.m.). [Also described as new by Forel, 1903b: 455.] Combination in Cataglyphis: Emery, 1925b: 262. Subspecies of albicans: Santschi, 1929b: 61. Raised to species and senior synonym of halophila: Wehner, 1983: 95.
 * halophila. Cataglyphis halophila Bernard, 1954: 48, figs. c, f, h (w.) ALGERIA. Junior synonym of fortis: Wehner, 1983: 95.