World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Ecology and Evolution

D-Index
46
Citations
5656
World Ranking
4723
National Ranking
247

Overview

Flavio Roces is affiliated with the University of Würzburg in Germany. Their research primarily spans several interconnected domains within biological sciences, with particular emphasis on insect ecology, neurobiology, and genetics. The scientist's work has most notably contributed to understanding the biomechanics and behavior of leaf-cutter ants, combining approaches from agricultural and biological sciences, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and neuroscience.

The relevant fields of study within Roces's research include:

  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Neuroscience

Within these domains, Roces's subfields of focus incorporate:

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Genetics
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Insect Science

The primary topics addressed across Roces's work include:

  • Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
  • Plant and animal studies
  • Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
  • Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Fossil Insects in Amber
  • Insect and Pesticide Research

Roces has coauthored multiple papers alongside recurring collaborators. Frequent co-authors are Frederik Püffel, David Labonte, Daniela Römer, Natalie Imirzian, and Lara Meyer, illustrating a collaborative network with a strong emphasis on leaf-cutter ant biomechanics and insect physiology.

Major publication venues where Roces has contributed research include:

  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • Journal of Experimental Biology
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences
  • Royal Society Open Science
  • Journal of The Royal Society Interface

Some recent significant papers authored or coauthored by Roces are:

  • Morphological determinants of bite force capacity in insects: a biomechanical analysis of polymorphic leaf-cutter ants, 2021, Journal of The Royal Society Interface
  • Strong positive allometry of bite force in leaf-cutter ants increases the range of cuttable plant tissues, 2023, Journal of Experimental Biology
  • Developmental biomechanics and age polyethism in leaf-cutter ants, 2023, Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences
  • Strong positive allometry of bite force in leaf-cutter ants increases the range of cuttable plant tissues, 2022, bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • Nest Turrets of Acromyrmex Grass-Cutting Ants: Micromorphology Reveals Building Techniques and Construction Dynamics, 2020, Insects

Best Publications

  • Information about food quality influences load-size selection in recruited leaf-cutting ants

    Flavio Roces;Josué A. Núñez

  • Carbon dioxide concentrations and nest ventilation in nests of the leaf-cutting ant Atta vollenweideri

    Christoph Kleineidam;Flavio Roces

  • Haemolymph sugar levels in foraging honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica): dependence on metabolic rate and in vivo measurement of maximal rates of trehalose synthesis.

    Jasmina Blatt;Flavio Roces

  • Soil temperature, digging behaviour, and the adaptive value of nest depth in South American species of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants

    Martin Bollazzi;Jenja Kronenbitter;Flavio Roces

  • Wind-induced ventilation of the giant nests of the leaf-cutting ant Atta vollenweideri.

    Christoph Kleineidam;Roman Ernst;Flavio Roces

  • Thermal preference for fungus culturing and brood location by workers of the thatching grass-cutting ant Acromyrmex heyeri

    M. Bollazzi;F. Roces

  • Olfactory conditioning during the recruitment process in a leaf-cutting ant.

    Flavio Roces

  • Leaf density and a trade-off between load-size selection and recruitment behavior in the ant Atta cephalotes.

    Flavio Roces;Bert Hölldobler

  • Nectar feeding by the ant Camponotus mus: intake rate and crop filling as a function of sucrose concentration.

    R.B Josens;W.M Farina;F Roces

  • The thermo-sensitive sensilla coeloconica of leaf-cutting ants (Atta vollenweideri)

    Markus Ruchty;Roberto Romani;Linda S. Kuebler;Linda S. Kuebler;Sara Ruschioni

  • Stridulation in leaf-cutting ants

    F. Roces;J. Tautz;B. Hölldobler

  • Avoiding plants unsuitable for the symbiotic fungus: learning and long-term memory in leaf-cutting ants

    N. Saverschek;H. Herz;M. Wagner;F. Roces

  • Long-term avoidance memory formation is associated with a transient increase in mushroom body synaptic complexes in leaf-cutting ants

    Agustina Falibene;Flavio Roces;Wolfgang Rössler

  • Larger bites of leaf-cutting ants

    Flavio Roces;John R. B. Lighten

  • Humidity preference for fungus culturing by workers of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa

    Flavio Roces;Christoph Kleineidam

  • To build or not to build: circulating dry air organizes collective building for climate control in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex ambiguus

    Martin Bollazzi;Flavio Roces

  • Fluid intake rates in ants correlate with their feeding habits

    J Paul;F Roces

  • Delayed rejection in a leaf-cutting ant after foraging on plants unsuitable for the symbiotic fungus

    Hubert M. Herz;Hubert M. Herz;Bert Holldobler;Bert Holldobler;Flavio Roces

  • Use of stridulation in foraging leaf-cutting ants: mechanical support during cutting or short-range recruitment signal?

    Flavio Roces;Bert Holldobler

  • Both evaluation of resource quality and speed of recruited leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex lundi) depend on their motivational state

    Flavio Roces;Flavio Roces

  • Brood translocation and circadian variation of temperature preference in the ant Camponotus mus

    Flavio Roces;Josué A. Núñez

  • Cutters, carriers and transport chains: Distance-dependent foraging strategies in the grass-cutting ant Atta vollenweideri

    J. Röschard;F. Roces

Frequent Co-Authors

Bert Hölldobler
Bert Hölldobler Arizona State University

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring Ecology and Evolution opens doors to diverse career paths that often overlap with other sciences and social fields. Many students complement their studies with additional qualifications to specialize further or expand their job options. Related fields such as psychology, social work, and counseling can provide unique perspectives and opportunities in research, conservation, and community-based initiatives.

For those seeking flexibility, a variety of military friendly colleges online offer accessible programs, supporting students from all backgrounds, including veterans. Fields like social work are also popular, with accredited lcsw online programs preparing graduates for impactful roles in health, advocacy, and education.

Psychology and mental health are increasingly relevant to ecological studies, especially in human-wildlife conflict, environmental education, and community resilience. Accelerated programs such as masters in psychology online and online masters in clinical mental health counseling allow graduates to quickly gain expertise and enter related careers.

Interdisciplinary skills gained from these pathways enhance employability and open the door to roles in research, policy, advocacy, and beyond.

Best Scientists Citing Flavio Roces

Trending Scientists