The Effect of the Introduced Red Wood Ant Formica paralugubris on the Frequency of Ant Nests and First Plesiobiotic Association between Myrmica ruginodis (Nylander, 1846) and Lasius flavus (Fabricius, 1782)
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引用次数: 2
Abstract
Red wood ants are ecologically dominant species that affect the composition of the invertebrate community. In the past century, one of these species, Formica paralugubris (Seifert 1996), was introduced outside its native area (the Alps), in the Apennines (Italy). Here we investigated the effect of the presence of an introduced population of F. paralugubris on the frequency of nests of other ant species in Abetone, Central Apennines. Ant nests were found only in the area unoccupied by F. paralugubris. In this area, we also found one pleometrotic association between queens of Lasius flavus (Fabricius, 1782) and two plesiobiotic associations, one between Formica fusca (Linnaeus, 1758) and L. flavus and the other one between Myrmica ruginodis (Nylander, 1846) and L. flavus. This latter is the first plesiobiotic relationship reported between these two species, the second reported for M. ruginodis and the 10th for L. flavus. Additionally, this is the first plesiobiotic association reported for the Mediterranean region and Southern Europe.
期刊介绍:
SOCIOBIOLOGY publishes high quality articles that significantly contribute to the knowledge of Entomology, with emphasis on social insects. Articles previously submitted to other journals are not accepted. SOCIOBIOLOGY publishes original research papers and invited review articles on all aspects related to the biology, evolution and systematics of social and pre-social insects (Ants, Termites, Bees and Wasps). The journal is currently expanding its scope to incorporate the publication of articles dealing with other arthropods that exhibit sociality. Articles may cover a range of subjects such as ecology, ethology, morphology, population genetics, physiology, toxicology, reproduction, sociobiology, caste differentiation as well as economic impact and pest management.