Affiliation:
1. Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
Abstract
The potential of subdominant ants of the Formica fusca group and their role in forests are still underestimated. Since ant behaviour is dependent on colony size, studying the functional organisation of nest complexes (NC) is most promising for a more accurate assessment of species capabilities. The study focused on the main ecological and ethological issues of the life activity of Formica lemani Bondroit within large NC (>150 nests) and beyond. After preliminary mapping of the F. lemani NC (main nests, trails, foraging trees), off-nest activity, aggressiveness, and trophobiotic relationships with aphids in and outside the NC territory were studied. Within the NC, the dynamic density, the intensity of movement on trails, and aggressiveness of F. lemani were significantly higher than beyond; the range of symbiont aphids was twice as small, with aphids on birches playing a key role in carbohydrate nutrition of F. lemani. The latter ensures accelerated restoration of trophobiotic interactions in spring and stability of the food supply until autumn. Combined with the lack of pressure from F. rufa group ants, this allowed F. lemani to maintain high population densities, and significantly increased its competitiveness, and role in plant protection against phytophages.
Funder
The Federal Fundamental Scientific Research Programme of the Russian Academy of Sciences
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