What does the term polydomous refer to in relation to certain ant species?

Polydomous refers to ant species that have multiple nest sites connected by tunnels. This behavior allows these ants to expand their territory, optimize their foraging strategies, and protect themselves from predators or environmental threats. In polydomous species, the different nests can function collaboratively, with ants moving between them to share resources, care for young, and support the overall colony dynamics.

This term contrasts with solitary or monodomous ants, which typically maintain a single nest site. The ability to utilize multiple nests gives polydomous species a significant advantage in terms of adaptability and resilience within their environments.