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Mutualism between Lasius Ant Species and Stomaphis Aphids in Relation to Social Parasitism among the ants

Depa Łukasz, Vepsäläinen Kari, Rutkowski Tomasz, Czechowski Wojciech

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2022

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Vol. 70, nr 1

44--55

EN

The ant species Lasius (Lasius) brunneus (Latr.) and L. (Dendrolasius) fuliginosus (Latr.) are known mutualists of the myrmecophilous giant tree aphids of the genus Stomaphis Walk. Species of the Lasius subgenus Chthonolasius Ruzs., which live cryptically underground, have not been considered regular mutualists of those aphids. They often nest close to the known mutualists with which they are through their mutual colony developments intimately interrelated – as temporary social parasites of L. brunneus or temporary hosts of L. fuliginosus. Such a constellation raises the question about contacts of L. (Chthonolasius) species with Stomaphis aphids. Here, we describe modes of interaction between L. (Chthonolasius) umbratus (Nyl.) and S. graffii Cholod. which is usually hosted by L. (L.) brunneus. Our field data from Poland and elsewhere in Europe, together with published information, support our view that also L. (Ch.) umbratus and other underground-living species of the subgenus Chthonolasius are true mutualists of Stomaphis which take care of the aphids. Such ants differ by their protective behaviour from ants which prey on or only exploit aphids. The co-occurrence of L. (Chthonolasius) species with Stomaphis aphids has hitherto been relatively rarely reported, which probably is due to the cryptic lifestyle of these ants. We discuss the complex interrelations among the above Lasius F. species which belong to separate levels of social parasitism, and their relations with Stomaphis aphids. We also suggest that L. (Chthonolasius) species, which in the socially-parasitic hierarchy are located between Lasius s. str. and L. (Dendrolasius), may serve as transmitters of Stomaphis aphids from the former to the latter species.

2

Foraging of White Stork Ciconia ciconia in Forests – The Heritage of an Ancient Behaviour?

Tryjanowski P., Grzywaczewski G., Zbyryt A.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2018

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Vol. 66, nr 3

250--256

EN

The white stork Ciconia ciconia is a typical open-area species, foraging mainly in farmland and wetland areas. The main aim of this paper was to describe the foraging ecology of white storks inside un-typical habitat, i.e. forests in Poland. Data on white stork feeding in forests were based on responses to questionnaires distributed to several national mailing lists with a total of 1700 (16% subscribers) and via emails to naturalists (mainly to white stork researchers). In total 63 observations, from the years 2000-2015, were collected, mainly from eastern Poland. In all cases, only a single adult individual was recorded inside the forest, with a mean (±SD) distance to the forest edge of 50 ± 102 m (n = 597) and 1315 ± 1015 m (n = 63) to the nearest white stork nest. Birds foraging inside forests were recorded from late May to mid-August, but the greatest numbers were seen during June. The main prey was a lizard, the slow-worm Anguis fragilis, with a maximum of 10 individuals collected by a stork during one foraging session. We discuss the origin of the observed foraging behaviour, noting that the species is flexible and opportunistic in terms of consumed food. The observed foraging is probably similar to the original behaviour of the species within primeval forest, although food opportunism helps the white stork to use new foraging areas, for example landfills.

3

Lasius niger (L.) Ants Invade the Web of an Agelenid Spider

Elżanowski A., Czechowski W.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2015

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Vol. 63, nr 4

623--626

EN

Black garden ants Lasius niger (L.) were observed to invade a web of an agelenid funnel spider (Agelena labyrinthica Clerck or Allagelena gracilens C. L. Koch) and to take the entangled prey away, probably after driving the resident spider out of the web. The observation adds to a few examples of ants invading spider webs and suggests complex interactions between ants and funnel spiders which are known to feed on rather than being ousted by ants.

4

Outstations as stable meeting points for workers from different nests in a polydomous nest system of Formica exsecta Nyl. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Csata E., Marko B., Eros K., Gal C., Szasz-Len A., Czekes Z.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2012

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Vol. 60, nr 1

177-186

EN

The mound building narrowheaded ant Formica exsecta builds guarding outstations, usually at the root of the aphid-housing plants. Colonies of this species can develop into huge polydomous systems, so-called supercolonies, made up of several hundred of related nests and outstations. Although the existence of these guarding structures is well-known, still there is little information available concerning their characteristics. In the frame of this study we analyze the characteristics and the integrative role of outstations within a large polydomous system of F. exsecta as a function of ant nest density. The study was carried out in Transylvania, Romania. Two areas with different ant nest densities were selected for the purpose of this study: high (HD) and low density (LD) sites. Parallel to the density of ant nests, the density of outstations was also higher at the HD site, while the size of outstations and the number of ants residing in them did not differ significantly between the two sites. Outstations were usually maintained by a single ant nest at the LD site, thus the common exploitation of food resources was less frequent, whereas at the HD site outstations were used by more ant nests. This article provides the first evidence to shared use of outstations in F. exsecta. In the view of our results outstations, in addition to guarding aphid colonies, also function as permanent meeting points for workers from different nests, which contribute essentially to the integration of nests within a polydomous system.

5

Non-prey items in stomachs of Alpine newts (Mesotriton alpestris, Laurenti)

Kopecky O., Vojar J., Susta F., Rehak I.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2011

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Vol. 59, nr 3

631-635

EN

Though newts are exclusively carnivorous predators, non-prey items (silt, plants, skin sloughs) also have been found in their stomachs. There are no previous studies on this topic apart from casual reports. We conducted a dietary study of Alpine newts (Mesotriton alpestris) at two localities in the Czech Republic, focusing on the influence of sex, locality, month, and weight of digested prey on consumption of non-prey items. Localities were two fishless ponds (surface area <40 m2, depth <1 m) at an elevation of about 450 m. Both ponds were isolated from other water bodies and inhabited also by Smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris L.) and Common frogs (Rana temporaria L.). Newts were captured by net from the shores and stomach contents were extracted using a stomach flushing technique. We sampled 190 individuals. At least one non-prey item (i.e. silt, plants, skin sloughs) was found in 44% of newts. stomachs. The most numerous items were plant fragments. The weight of consumed prey did not affect the presence of non-prey items in stomachs of newts. Locality (probably relating to prey availability) affected frequency of newts with plants and silt in their digestive tracts, but skin sloughs were consumed at both localities with the same frequencies. All non-prey items were consumed mainly at the beginning of the breeding season (year 1997) and with no difference in frequencies between males and females.

6

Rubbish dumps reveal the diet of ant colonies : Myrmica schencki Em. and Myrmica rubra (L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as facultative pollen-eaters

Czechowski W., Marko B., Radchenko A.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2008

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Vol. 56, nr 4

737-741

EN

Myrmica schencki Em. and M. rubra (L.), common Palaearctic ant species, collect fallen male Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) inflorescence during the pine blossom time, take it to their nests and then gather it on rubbish piles close to nest-entrances. Dissection of M. schencki workers revealed the presence of numerous pollen grains in their crops and midguts proving at least periodical pollenivory of these ants. So far, only some Neotropical ants of the genus Cephalotes Latr. have been known to eat pollen.

7

Around-nest 'cemeteries' of Myrmica schencki Em. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) : their origin and a possible significance

Czechowski W.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2008

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Vol. 56, nr 2

359-363

EN

Unusual rubbish piles of Myrmica schencki Em. colonies nesting within territories of Formica polyctena Forst. are described. The piles tightly surrounded M. schencki nest entrances and consisted mainly of remains of F. polyctena corpses (with a small addition of corpses of other local ant species) previously collected as food by M. schencki foragers in F. polyctena waste disposal zones. This observation shows that, under certain conditions, M. schencki can actually be a specialised myrmecophagous scavenger. The peculiar finding of M. schencki rubbish piles, in connection with other observations of using dead bodies and other remains by ants, suggests that such piles can play some role in interspecific relations in ants. This possibility is considered in the context of the competitive hierarchy of ant species.

8

Spatial segregation of foraging sites in winter mixed-species flocks of forest birds near seoul, Korea

Lee Sang-don, Jabłoński Piotr G.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2006

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Vol. 54, nr 3

481-490

EN

The wintering mixed flocks of tits (Paridae) and associated birds, are good objects for studying ecological niche division. In this respect the mixed species flocks on the Asian continent are poorly studied in comparison to European and North American ones. In this report we describe spatial distribution of foraging sites of eight bird species in 39 winter flocks near Seoul, Korea: Varied tit - Parus varius Temminck & Schlegel, Great tit - P. major Temminck & Schlegel, Marsh tit - P. palustris Bianchi, Coal tit - P. ater Buturlin, Long-tailed tit - Aegithalos caudatus Clark, Nuthatch - Sitta europaea Swinhoe, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker - Dendrocopos kizuki Taka-Tsukasa, and Goldcrest - Regulus regulus Blakiston. Foraging sites (in coniferous and mixed forests) were classified into five height layers: on the ground, <1.5 m above the ground, 1.5-4 m, 4-7m, and > 7m. Trees were divided into three horizontal zones depending on the distance from trunk: crown interior, intermediate zone, and external twigs. Species differed significantly in the use of height layers: P. major foraged mostly on the ground, P. ater and A. caudatus foraged mostly in the highest forest layer, P. palustris was often seen in bushes, and P. varius occurred in the middle tree layer. There was no clear correlation between height of foraging and species body size. However, body size played an important role for segregation in horizontal zones, and two species, the larger P. major and the smaller P. ater differed significantly in the mean distance from trunk. Species of large body size like P. varius and P. major, foraged mostly in the interior of the tree crown, while the smaller species, P.ater and A. caudatus, foraged mostly in the external zone; the intermediate in size, P. palustris, foraged equally often in each of the three zones. The sites used most often by Korean populations of three tit species, P major, P. palustris and P ater, were similar to the sites used by European populations of the respective species. These results represent one of a few quantitative studies on mixed species flocks in continental Asia.

9

Conspicuousness of a flush-pursue predator, the Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus L.) : an experiment using bird models in a breeding habitat

Jabłoński P. G.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2004

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Vol. 52, nr 1

79-81

EN

White patches in the Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus) are adaptations to flush prey during flush-pursue foraging which is characteristic for this species. Conspicuousness of white wing patches was measured in terms if time needed for a human observer to find a taxidermic model in a natural habitat. The time to find a model without patches do not confer higher conspicuousness to non-moving redstarts. The results are discussed in terms of predation risk from such visually orienting predators as hawks or or pygmy owls, and in comparison to other Myioborus species, all which do not posses the white wing patches.

10

The painted redstart (Myioborus pictus L.) search rate of a cryptic versus conspicuous prey : a field test of optimal search models

Jabłoński P.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2003

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Vol. 51, nr 3

385-388

EN

Models of optimal search rates predict that predators increase the search rate when availability of conspicuous prey increases relative to cryptic prey. I tested this prediction by comparing foraging hop rates by 19 Painted Redstarts (Myioborus pictus) - insectivorous birds in Arizona, USA. Redstarts often use flashy displays of open wings and tail to flush their prey and to subsequently chase the prey in air. Such flush-displays make the prey conspicuous and easy to detect. Hence, foraging mode affects relative availability of conspicuous versus cryptic prey: birds foraging with frequent flush-displays encounter conspicuous prey more often then birds foraging with infrequent flush-displays. As predicted, the hop rates during foraging with infrequent flush-displays were lower than hop rates during foraging with frequent displays.

11

Water striders are prescient foragers : use of sensory information for patch assessment in food-based territoriality of Aquarius remigis (Gerridae, Heteroptera)

Jabłoński P., Ściński M.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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1999

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Vol. 47, no 3

247-256

EN

We examined if water striders were able to recognize food distribution from sensory (surface vibrations and visual cues) information only (i. e. they are prescient foragers). Non-reproductive Aquarius remigis (Gerridae, Heteroptera) were stimulated to defend territories in laboratory conditions by simulating prey items falling down on the water surface so that no prey consumption was possible. In patchy prey distribution water striders were more aggressive than in random prey distribution suggesting that water striders were able to use prescient information to assess food distribution. The tests were conducted in artificial habitats differing in the maximal distance from which information about resources and competitors could be collected through surface vibrations. We showed that territory size was positively correlated with home range size of an individual but not with its aggression, and that this correlation was absent in habitats which allowed long-distance exchange of information between individuals through water surface vibrations.

12

Foraging strategies and dietary preferences of a high mountain ant. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Fernandez-Escudero I., Tinaut A.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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1998

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Vol. 46, no 1

23-31

EN

The ant Proformica longiseta inhabits the dry zones of the Mediterranean high mountain. A generalist feeder, this species has a predilection for liquid food, and its solid diet changes over the active period according to the prey available. It forages alone without recruitment or cooperation. The abundance of repletes varies in parallel to the quantity of food collected, representing a solution for food shortage periods. The territories surrounding the nests are not clearly defined, but rather overlap with foraging areas of several ant nests.