The distribution of foraging wood-ants (Formica lugubris Zett.) in relation to the distribution of aphids

1983 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Sudd
Keyword(s):  
1977 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. SUDD ◽  
J. M. DOUGLAS ◽  
T. GAYNARD ◽  
D. M. MURRAY ◽  
J. M. STOCKDALE
Keyword(s):  

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jouni Sorvari

Associations of island size and isolation on the occurrence and species richness of five wood ant species of the Formica rufa group (F. rufa, F. aquilonia, F. lugubris, F. polyctena and F. pratensis) was tested in the Lake Konnevesi archipelago in Central Finland. In addition, the species composition was compared to that of mainland forests of the same region. Island isolation had no associations with the wood ant occurrence in this archipelago, but for most species, increasing island size was positively associated with the occurrence probability. According to the findings among the five species, Formica lugubris is the best adapted for insular living. There was a positive species–area relationship as the species richness of wood ants increased with an increasing island size. The island community of wood ants was dominated by colonies of the monogynous (single queen) species whereas the mainland community was dominated by those of polygynous (multiple queen) species.


1975 ◽  
Vol 107 (12) ◽  
pp. 1271-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Finnegan

AbstractA brief history of the importance attributed to red wood ants in Europe and the outstanding qualities of three species, Formica lugubris Zett., F. polyctena (Foerst.), and F. aquilonia Yarr., are presented. The reasons for choosing F. lugubris as a suitable species for introduction to Canada are given. The collecting in Italy, shipping by air to Canada, and eventual release in Quebec is discussed. In conclusion it is stated that the establishment and acclimatization of this species in Quebec was successful, and that increased reproduction and spread is anticipated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Parmentier ◽  
R. Claus ◽  
F. De Laender ◽  
D. Bonte

Abstract Background Species interactions may affect spatial dynamics when the movement of one species is determined by the presence of another one. The most direct species-dependence of dispersal is vectored, usually cross-kingdom, movement of immobile parasites, diseases or seeds by mobile animals. Joint movements of species should, however, not be vectored by definition, as even mobile species are predicted to move together when they are tightly connected in symbiont communities. Methods We studied concerted movements in a diverse and heterogeneous community of arthropods (myrmecophiles) associated with red wood ants. We questioned whether joint-movement strategies eventually determine and speed-up community succession. Results We recorded an astonishingly high number of obligate myrmecophiles outside red wood ant nests. They preferentially co-moved with the host ants as the highest densities were found in locations with the highest density of foraging red wood ants, such as along the network of ant trails. These observations suggest that myrmecophiles resort to the host to move away from the nest, and this to a much higher extent than hitherto anticipated. Interestingly, functional groups of symbionts displayed different dispersal kernels, with predatory myrmecophiles moving more frequently and further from the nest than detritivorous myrmecophiles. We discovered that myrmecophile diversity was lower in newly founded nests than in mature red wood ant nests. Most myrmecophiles, however, were able to colonize new nests fast suggesting that the heterogeneity in mobility does not affect community assembly. Conclusions We show that co-movement is not restricted to tight parasitic, or cross-kingdom interactions. Movement in social insect symbiont communities may be heterogeneous and functional group-dependent, but clearly affected by host movement. Ultimately, this co-movement leads to directional movement and allows a fast colonisation of new patches, but not in a predictable way. This study highlights the importance of spatial dynamics of local and regional networks in symbiont metacommunities, of which those of symbionts of social insects are prime examples.


2015 ◽  
Vol 218 (22) ◽  
pp. 3580-3588 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. D. Fernandes ◽  
A. Philippides ◽  
T. S. Collett ◽  
J. E. Niven
Keyword(s):  

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