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1. The distribution, ecology, and behaviour of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is profoundly influenced by environmental stress and competition. As in plants, trade‐offs in adaptations to these factors are the basis for functional classifications of ant taxa and communities at a global scale.

2. Theory predicts a trade‐off between stress tolerance and competitive dominance in both plants and ants. In ants, low temperature is thought to be stressful, so I hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between temperature and behavioural dominance. I evaluated this relationship in a South American, Chaco ant community.

3 The activity and behaviour of ground‐foraging, omnivorous ants were examined at baits in open and closed, forested habitats during different seasons and times of day to characterize the responses of ant taxa to variation in microclimate and competitors.

4. Behaviourally dominant ants …