B. Markó, Zs. Czekes, K. Erős, E. Csata & A.M. Szász-Len (2012): The largest polydomous system of Formica ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Europe discovered thus far in Romania. North-Western Journal of Zoology 8 (2): 287-291.
Abstract
Polydomy is a rather general trait in ants. In Europe, mainly territorial mound building Formica species apply this strategy in the native fauna. Here we present the largest European polydomous system for Formica exsecta Nyl. which consists of 3,347 nests dispersed over ca. 22 ha in Transylvania, Romania. The whole population includes six additional smaller polydomous systems and comprises a total of 3,899 nests. Nest density shows considerable variations within the largest system. Ant nests are larger at the high nest density site. In addition, ant nest connectivity through shared aphid colony use with other nests can also reach extreme low (0 connections) and high (10 connections) values. These variations could reflect differences in the level of integration of single nests into a polydomous system.
Abstract
Polydomy is a rather general trait in ants. In Europe, mainly territorial mound building Formica species apply this strategy in the native fauna. Here we present the largest European polydomous system for Formica exsecta Nyl. which consists of 3,347 nests dispersed over ca. 22 ha in Transylvania, Romania. The whole population includes six additional smaller polydomous systems and comprises a total of 3,899 nests. Nest density shows considerable variations within the largest system. Ant nests are larger at the high nest density site. In addition, ant nest connectivity through shared aphid colony use with other nests can also reach extreme low (0 connections) and high (10 connections) values. These variations could reflect differences in the level of integration of single nests into a polydomous system.
Keywords
ants, aphids, connectivity, foraging, Formica exsecta, polydomy
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