Clyde Skillin, FCLC '26

Major: Natural Science

Bio: Clyde Skillin is a senior at Fordham University pursuing a B.S. in Natural Science and a minor in Environmental Science. Clyde’s passion for the sciences has led him to acquire research experience through ecology labs at Fordham, as well as a biomedical research internship at Augusta University. When not at school, Clyde can be found working at the Brooklyn Public Library or biking throughout his hometown of Brooklyn. After graduation, Clyde plans on pursuing PA school and obtaining his MSPA.

Racing the ManhattAnt Across Europe

Abstract: Lasius emarginatus, commonly known as the ManhattAnt, is an invasive species in New York City first identified in 2011. Since its introduction, the ant has spread rapidly throughout the city and continues expanding into surrounding counties and states. Previous research at Fordham found that the ManhattAnt has a much greater running speed than local ant species, which may help explain its invasion success. Because ant speed is closely tied to temperature, it is possible that ManhattAnts are better adapted to the temperatures and surfaces found in urban environments than their competitors.

This study sought to determine whether ManhattAnts in their native European range exhibit similarly high running speeds. Comparing running speeds between native and invasive populations allows researchers to evaluate whether ManhattAnts were pre-adapted to hotter urban conditions or whether they evolved increased speed after their introduction to New York City. To investigate this question, ManhattAnt populations were located throughout major European urban centers, including Berlin, Brussels, and Paris. Running speed was measured by recording ants moving past a standardized plastic card, then calculating speed alongside ambient temperature data.

Results showed that New York ManhattAnts displayed a much stronger temperature response than their European counterparts. New York populations increased their running speed by approximately 1.74 mm for every 1°C increase in temperature, while European populations increased by only 0.48 mm per 1°C. These findings suggest that enhanced temperature responsiveness was likely selected for following the species’ introduction to New York and may have contributed significantly to its invasion success.

Mentor: Ellen van Wilgenburg, Natural Sciences