scholarly journals Spatial distribution of small mammals depending on the influence of red wood ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and vegetation cover in conditions of the Volga Upland

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-193
Author(s):  
Elena Evgenievna Boryakova ◽  
Svetlana Anatolievna Melnik
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Volga Upland

scholarly journals Red wood ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) influence on the spatial distribution of small mammals in the conditions of the Volga Upland

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
Elena Evgenievna Boryakova ◽  
Svetlana Anatolievna Melnik
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Spatial Interaction ◽  
Deciduous Forests ◽  
Ecological Strategy ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Disturbance Factor ◽  
Volga Upland ◽  
Formica Aquilonia

The paper presents the results of research devoted to the study of the spatial interaction of small mammals and red wood ants. The aim of the research was to learn the ants Formica aquilonia Yarr. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) influence on the spatial structure of Micromammalia populations in the Conifer-Deciduous Forests of the Volga Upland. Trapping of mammals was carried out with traps Gero, geobotanical descriptions were made according to standard methods; the package Statistica 6.0 was used for results processing. It was revealed that mouse-like rodents did not avoid ant-trails despite the fact of the ants disturbance factor. Its presumably due to vegetation in the vicinity to anthills, the climate and the conditions created with the plants. The obtained results by the distribution of micromammalia burrows in the space allow us to speak about 2 groups of small mammals with different ecological strategy: gravitating which is near the ant-trails and anthills and careful which settle over a distance. The group core are probably individuals of the dominant species such as bank vole ( Cletrionomys glareolus ) and pygmy field mouse ( Apodemus uralensis ). The interaction of small mammals and ants in the mixed forests of the Volga Upland are mediated, apparently, with the influence of vegetation.

scholarly journals Association of small mammal’s spatial distribution and vegetation cover structure (on the example of Pustyn closed wood, Nizhny Novgorod Region)

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Elena Evgenievna Boryakova
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Volga Upland ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Nizhny Novgorod Region

The following paper deals with the problem of spatial distribution of mouse-like rodents in connection with a vegetable cover character. Small mammals are studied as components of the whole system - biocenosis. The investigation was carried out during the summer of 2016 in the landscape protected area Pustyn located in the province of Nizhny Novgorod, Volga Upland. 6 sample plots were set up in different forest types. Micromammalia were trapped using a traditional method, over standard sample plots (20 20 m) in a random order. 226 animals were caught, they turned out to belong to 2 genera and 3 species: Cletrionomys glareolus Schreber, Apodemus flavicollis Melchior, Apodemus uralensis Pallas. Statistical analysis was fulfilled using Statistica 6.0 software suite. We used a nonparametric Spearman method for calculation of correlations. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for detection of groups of similar objects, to reduce the number of dimensions and for visualization of the results. Positive and negative correlation dependences between the number of micromammalia and abundance of separate species of plants are revealed. The PCA analysis has shown that there is a significant factor for spatial distribution of small mammals, which is positively connected with nitrogen-loving plants. Rodents generally prefer places where projective cover degree of vegetation makes about 60%. This value is possibly optimum for movement and holes digging; the shortage of food is possible when the covering indicators are smaller and the density of animals population is big. The bank vole shows ecological plasticity in the choice of habitats more than mice. Based on results of our research, it is possible to conclude that heterogeneity of a vegetation cover has an influence on spatial structure of micromammalia communities.

scholarly journals Nests of red wood ants (Formica rufa-group) are positively associated with tectonic faults: a double-blind test

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Del Toro ◽  
Gabriele Berberich ◽  
Relena R. Ribbons ◽  
Martin B. Berberich ◽  
Nathan J. Sanders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Formica Rufa ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Tectonic Faults ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Formica Rufa Group ◽  
Sampling Biases

AbstractEcological studies aim to better understand the distribution and abundances of organisms. Yet ecological works often are subjected to unintentional biases thus an improved framework for hypothesis testing should be used. Double-blind ecological studies are rare but necessary to minimize sampling biases and omission errors and improve the reliability of research. We used a double-blind design to evaluate associations between nests of red wood ants(Formica rufa,RWA) and the distribution of tectonic faults. We randomly sampled two regions in western Denmark to map the spatial distribution of RWA nests. We then calculated nest proximity to the nearest active tectonic faults. Red wood ant nests were eight times more likely to be found within 60 meters of known tectonic faults than were random points in the same region but without nests. This pattern paralleled the directionality of the fault system, with NNE-SSW faults having the strongest associations with RWA nests. The nest locations were collected without knowledge of the spatial distribution of active faults thus we are confident that the results are neither biased nor artefactual. This example highlights the benefits of double-blind designs in reducing sampling biases, testing controversial hypotheses, and increasing the reliability of the conclusions of research.

scholarly journals Nests of red wood ants (Formica rufa-group) are positively associated with tectonic faults: a double-blind test

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Del Toro ◽  
Gabriele M. Berberich ◽  
Relena R. Ribbons ◽  
Martin B. Berberich ◽  
Nathan J. Sanders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Formica Rufa ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Tectonic Faults ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Formica Rufa Group ◽  
Sampling Biases

Ecological studies often are subjected to unintentional biases, suggesting that improved research designs for hypothesis testing should be used. Double-blind ecological studies are rare but necessary to minimize sampling biases and omission errors, and improve the reliability of research. We used a double-blind design to evaluate associations between nests of red wood ants (Formica rufa, RWA) and the distribution of tectonic faults. We randomly sampled two regions in western Denmark to map the spatial distribution of RWA nests. We then calculated nest proximity to the nearest active tectonic faults. Red wood ant nests were eight times more likely to be found within 60 m of known tectonic faults than were random points in the same region but without nests. This pattern paralleled the directionality of the fault system, with NNE–SSW faults having the strongest associations with RWA nests. The nest locations were collected without knowledge of the spatial distribution of active faults thus we are confident that the results are neither biased nor artefactual. This example highlights the benefits of double-blind designs in reducing sampling biases, testing controversial hypotheses, and increasing the reliability of the conclusions of research.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Spatial Distribution of Settlements of Red Wood Ants in the Baikal Region

2019 ◽  
pp. 385-397
Author(s):  
Igor A. Antonov ◽  
Roman K. Fedorov ◽  
Innokentiy A. Bashalkhanov
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Baikal Region ◽  
Forest Plot ◽  
Settlement Density ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
And Control ◽  
Mountain Taiga

Outbreaks of defoliating insects constantly emerge and spread in the heavily forested Baikal region. Biological control is the approach of choice in pest management, and red wood ants are used to control defoliating insects at their outbreak sites. The purpose of the present paper is to choose the forest plots with complexes of red wood ant nests in the Baikal region and to estimate the level of protection of these plots from defoliating insects using hybrid geoinformation system (GIS). The Institute for System Dynamics and Control Theory SB RAS geoportal (http://geos.icc.ru) is the hybrid GIS. During fieldwork, 101 nests of F. aquilonia Yarr. and 20 nests of F. lugubris Zett. were found. One hundred and two nests (88 F. aquilonia nests and 14 F. lugubris nests) formed nest complexes and were located on 18 forest plots. Two parameters were used to estimate protection level of forest plots from defoliating insects: the average number of nests per 1 hectare (settlement density) and the total area of dome bases of all anthills located on 1 hectare (power of the nest complex). The research revealed that only four forest plots (“Uzury”, “Khalgay”, “Onguren_2”, and “Onguren_3”), situated in the mountain taiga pine landscape, were protected from defoliating insects (settlement density ≥5 nests/ha and power of nest complex >6 m2/ha). Besides, the complex of nests in the “Onguren_2” forest plot can be a source for capture of filial nests. The “Arshan_2” forest plot, situated in the mountain taiga dark coniferous landscape of reduced development, had the lowest density of settlements of ants (less than two nests per hectare). The state-of-the-art hybrid GIS is a tool that can be used to quickly and efficiently discover and analyze the spatial distribution of settlements of red wood ants

scholarly journals Vegetation cover and microtine rodents spatial distribution under conditions of Nizhny Novgorod oakwood

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
Elena E. Boryakova
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Projective Cover ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Apodemus Agrarius ◽  
Microtine Rodents

This paper deals with the problem of the connection between small mammals spatial distribution and the vegetation cover. The study was carried out during the summer period of 2018 and 2019 in the landscape protected area Oakwood of the NNSU Botanical Garden in the province of Nizhny Novgorod. Three relevs were set up in various plant associations: Ulmetum pulmonarioso-asaroso-aegopodiosum, Acereto-Tilietum pulmonarioso-impatienosum (noli-tangerae), Querceto-Acereto-Tilietum asareto-aegopodiosum. A standard geobotanical description was carried out according to the generally accepted method using a series of Raunkier sites registration. Microtine rodents were trapped by standart traps and live traps. The caught animals turned out to belong to 2 genera and 3 species: the bank vole Myodes glareolus Schreber, the pygmy wood mouse Apodemus uralensis Pallas, and the field mouse Apodemus agrarius Pallas. The low population size of animals, as well as the fact that Apodemus agrarius is a co-dominant, may indirectly indicate the anthropogenic pressure in the investigated oak groves. Ecological plasticity of the species Myodes glareolus has been confirmed. Bank voles inhabit micro-habitats with the average data of illumination as well as shaded ones. In general, the vegetation projective cover and the presence of Norway maple undergrowth are crucial for the microtine rodents spatial distribution. Small mammals choose sites with a minimum number of Acer platanoides undergrowth, and gravitate to places where the projective cover of grass has moderate rates (from 35 to 50%). The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using a vegetation cover species spectrum showed the presence of a significant factor for microtine rodents, which is associated with nitrophilous species (common nettle and touch-me-not balsam). The presence of those plants may indicate a significant anthropogenic pressure on the vegetation cover. In addition, it is important that plants belong to a particular eco-coenotic group. The species Myodes glareolus and Apodemus agrarius differ on the nemoral factor, and their ecological niches do not overlap.

Large-scale mapping of the catenas vegetation in Subarctic tundra

1995 ◽  
pp. 3-21
Author(s):  
S. S. Kholod
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Block Diagram ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Ecological Barriers ◽  
Functional Zones

One of the most difficult tasks in large-scale vegetation mapping is the clarification of mechanisms of the internal integration of vegetation cover territorial units. Traditional way of searching such mechanisms is the study of ecological factors controlling the space heterogeneity of vegetation cover. In essence, this is autecological analysis of vegetation. We propose another way of searching the mechanisms of territorial integration of vegetation. It is connected with intracoenotic interrelation, in particular, with the changing role of edificator synusium in a community along the altitudinal gradient. This way of searching is illustrated in the model-plot in subarctic tundra of Central Chukotka. Our further suggestion concerns the way of depicting these mechanisms on large-scale vegetation map. As a model object we chose the catena, that is the landscape formation including all geomorphjc positions of a slope, joint by the process of moving the material down the slope. The process of peneplanation of a mountain system for a long geological time favours to the levelling the lower (accumulative) parts of slopes. The colonization of these parts of the slope by the vegetation variants, corresponding to the lowest part of catena is the result of peneplanation. Vegetation of this part of catena makes a certain biogeocoenotic work which is the levelling of the small infralandscape limits and of the boundaries in vegetation cover. This process we name as the continualization on catena. In this process the variants of vegetation in the lower part of catena are being broken into separate synusiums. This is the process of decumbation of layers described by V. B. Sochava. Up to the slope the edificator power of the shrub synusiums sharply decreases. Moss and herb synusium have "to seek" the habitats similar to those under the shrub canopy. The competition between the synusium arises resulting in arrangement of a certain spatial assemblage of vegetation cover elements. In such assemblage the position of each element is determined by both biotic (interrelation with other coenotic elements) and abiotic (presence of appropriate habitats) factors. Taking into account the biogeocoenotic character of the process of continualization on catena we name such spatial assemblage an exolutionary-biogeocoenotic series. The space within each evolutionary-biogeocoenotic series is divided by ecological barriers into some functional zones. In each of the such zones the struggle between synusiums has its individual expression and direction. In the start zone of catena (extensive pediment) the interrelations of synusiums and layers control the mutual spatial arrangement of these elements at the largest extent. Here, as a rule, there predominate edificator synusiums of low and dwarfshrubs. In the first order limit zone (the bend of pediment to the above part of the slope) one-species herb and moss synusiums, oftenly substituting each other in similar habitats, get prevalence. In the zone of active colonization of slope (denudation slope) the coenotic factor has the least role in the spatial distribution of the vegetation cover elements. In particular, phytocoenotic interactions take place only within separate microcoenoses of herbs, mosses and lichens. In the zone of the attenuation of continualization process (the upper most parts of slope, crests) phytocoenotic interactions are almost absent and the spatial distribution of vegetation cover elements depends exclusively on the abiotic factors. The principal scheme of the distribution of vegetation cover elements and the disposition of functional zones on catena are shown on block-diagram (fig. 1).

scholarly journals Moving apart together: co-movement of a symbiont community and their ant host, and its importance for community assembly

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Parmentier ◽  
R. Claus ◽  
F. De Laender ◽  
D. Bonte
Keyword(s):  
Community Assembly ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Joint Movement ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Ant Nests ◽  
Mobile Species ◽  
Directional Movement ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Red Wood Ant

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document