Formica rufa ants have a limited effect on the abundance of the parasitic fly Ernestia rudis in Scots pine plantations

Red wood ants (the Formica rufa group) are important predators which affect animal communities in their territory. Therefore, they are useful in forest protection. On the other hand, they also prey on beneficial organisms. We have asked whether Formica rufa L. affects the abundance of the parasitic flies Ernestia rudis (Fallén). Ten anthills situated in about 40-year- old pine plantations were used for the study. The presence of E. rudis cocoons was assessed in eight soil samples excavated in the surrounding of each nest at a distance of 2–17 m. Our results show a considerably lower abundance of E. rudis only to 4.5 m from the nests. The occurrence of Formica rufa ants therefore had no significant effect on the beneficial E. rudis population in plantation forests, where ants populations are low.

Animate Orientation Based on Visual Landmarks and Scene Recognition

A biologically-inspired approach to robot route following is presented. The ant of the genus Formica rufa (a red forest ant) is used as a model species. These ants actively use collective foraging, unlike many other ant species. The scout ant remembers the route to food and can transmit information about the food location to foraging ants. Foragers can independently reach this place using this data and return home. The basis of the proposed method is the memorization the way by visual landmarks and fuzzy control. The animate path description model consists of a sequence of scenes and includes compass to account for the direction. The behavior of the animate-scout is implemented using an algorithm that simulates the foraging behavior of ants. The animate-forager performs actions to reproduce the route, applying the developed set of rules. The forager behavior is based on the same principles as that of a scout. But the scout remembers the scenes, and the forager recognizes and compares the visible scene and the scene from the route description. The actions of animates are presented in the form of elementary behavioral procedures. Each behavioral procedure is implemented using a finite state machine. The experiments for solving the foraging problem were carried out using a modeling system based on the ROS framework. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. The method does not require large computing power and advanced sensory capabilities from the robot. It can also be used in reconnaissance and patrol tasks.

Zoogeomorphosite: A concept for, and example of, linking geoheritage and biodiversity heritage

<p>Zoogeomorphosites can be defined as geomorphological sites of special interest for animal biodiversity and conservation. They appear as ideal places for linking geoheritage and biodiversity heritage because of the reciprocal effects and interactions between landforms and animals. On one hand, geomorphodiversity exerts an influence on animal biodiversity at alpha, beta and gamma levels, and many landforms constitute valuable habitats for a wide range of animal species. On the other hand, animals can have direct and indirect geomorphic effects by creating specific landforms (e.g., mounds) and by influencing geomorphic processes (e.g, runoff), respectively.</p><p>The aim of this presentation is (1) to illustrate a worldwide range of sites fitting the conceptual definition of a zoogeomorphosite, with a proposed typology, and (2) to present an example of zoogeomorphological survey conducted on a site in Northwest France (Bois-des-Jarries, Vendée), where geoheritage meets with biodiversity heritage. The selected study site is a granitic geomorphosite composed of two hills with small tors and boulders outcropping at 230-260 m a.s.l., and franging a large fluvial paleo-valley of Ypresian age. The land cover is a mosaic of mixed forests and dry heathlands recognized for their high ecological interest, with many valuable species of vascular plants, birds and invertebrates. A major zoogeomorphic interest of the site is that it hosts an important population of mound-building red wood ants (<em>Formica rufa</em>), a regionally rare and vulnerable species responsible for an impressive collection of biogenic microlandforms (ant mounds) on a small surface (62 ha). A zoogeomorphogical survey carried out in summer 2020 on these ant mounds involved a two-stage methodology: (1) linear surveys along forest paths, in order to calculate mound densities and to proceed with a general inventory of ant mounds; (2) morphometric measurements of mounds using strip transects in 13 representative habitat types, in order to calculate mound volumes and to evaluate their evolution on a 5-years period.</p><p>119 mounds of <em>Formica rufa</em> have been inventoried in summer 2020 along the forest paths, indicating a density of 2-4 mounds ha<sup>–1</sup>. First results of the morphometric measurements indicate that the highest biovolumes are found in pine or mixed forest habitats, and that the geomorphology of the granitic hills (slope, aspect, height above drainage, etc.) is of major influence on their distribution and shape. In turn, ant mounds create environmental heterogeneity, or patch-scale geodiversity, highly favourable to biodiversity, notably because they offer microhabitats for various myrmecophilous insects. Finally, ant mounds can be viewed as a remarkable example of biogeomorphological heritage, hybrid and evolutionary in nature, but highly sensitive to environmental and human-induced changes (e.g., forest clear cuts, tourism pressure). Because ant mounds are an integral component of natural heritage and a key provider of ecosystem services, their inventory and protection as zoogeomorphosites – just like that of termite mounds – are of prime relevance in the wider scope of integrating geodiversity and biodiversity in nature conservation policies and strategies.</p>

Keanekaragaman dan Distribusi Formicidae di Hutan Wisata Sesaot, Lombok Barat NTB

Hutan Wisata Sesaot merupakan kawasan wisata yang berbasis ekologi. Mempertahankan keberadaan sumberdaya hayati di kawasan perlu dilakukan supaya kegiatan wisata terjadi secara berkelanjutan. Salah satu sumberdaya hayati tersebut adalah formicidae. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menganalisis keanekaragaman dan distribusi spesies formicidae. Data dikoleksi dari sampel yang diambil di 2 stasiun yaitu stasiun 1 berada di jalan masuk utama kawasan hutan wisata Sesaot dan stasiun 1 berada di sebelah utara stasiun 1. Pembatas antara stasiun 1 dan stasiun 2 adalah sungai yang di jadikan tempat pemandian untuk pariwisata. Analisis keanekaragaman menggunakan indeks Shanon-Wienner, dan distribusi spesies diukur menggunakan indeks Morisita. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa indeks keanekaragaman pada stasiun1 (H’= 1,57) dan stasiun 2 (H’= 1,55). Sedangkan nilai indeks Morisita semua spesies > 1. Selama pengamatan berhasil dikoleksi 1493 spesimen dari 5 jenis formicidae yaitu Oecophylla smaragdina, Odontomachus bauri, Monomorium minimum, Melophorus bagoti, dan Formica rufa. Spesies yang paling banyak ditemukan adalah Melophorus bagoti. dan yang paling sedikit adalah Formica rufa. Kesimpulan penelitian ini Indeks keanekaragaman formicidae lebih tinggi pada stasiun 1 dibandingkan dengan stasiun 2. Semua spesies formicidae memiliki pola distribusi mengelompok.

A motion compensation treadmill for untethered wood ants (Formica rufa): evidence for transfer of orientation memories from free-walking training

ABSTRACTThe natural scale of insect navigation during foraging makes it challenging to study under controlled conditions. Virtual reality and trackball setups have offered experimental control over visual environments while studying tethered insects, but potential limitations and confounds introduced by tethering motivates the development of alternative untethered solutions. In this paper, we validate the use of a motion compensator (or ‘treadmill’) to study visually driven behaviour of freely moving wood ants (Formica rufa). We show how this setup allows naturalistic walking behaviour and preserves foraging motivation over long time frames. Furthermore, we show that ants are able to transfer associative and navigational memories from classical maze and arena contexts to our treadmill. Thus, we demonstrate the possibility to study navigational behaviour over ecologically relevant durations (and virtual distances) in precisely controlled environments, bridging the gap between natural and highly controlled laboratory experiments.

Study and Development of an Anthroposophical Formula Based on Phosphorus and Formica rufa for Onychomycosis´s Treatment

: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate or nail bed that leads to the gradual destruction of the nail. The main difficulties in the treatment of onychomycosis refer to the duration of treatments and their side effects. Thus, it becomes relevant to look for new therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of such common diseases that are efficient without causing the undesirable side effects on the patient's body. In this way, the objective of this study was to develop an anthroposophical formula for the treatment of onychomycosis, based on Phosphorus and Formica rufa, from an extensive bibliographic survey on the functions of these components, evaluating within the principles of Anthroposophy. Considering the set of knowledge and practices on the use of these components, it was possible to arrive at a proposal therapy that can be effective for the treatment of onychomycosis. After an extensive review of several existing patents, it was observed that formulations containing Phosphorus and Formica rufa together have not been described in other studies. Subsequently, our research group published a patent of the anthroposophical formula using these two components, with the number BR1020180750755, which will be efficient to help the recovery of nails, and facilitate normal growth.