The red wood ant Formica aquilonia (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) may affect both local species richness and composition at multiple trophic levels in a boreal forest ecosystem
In temperate forests, red wood ants (Formica aquilonia) are considered ecosystem
engineers affecting ecosystem properties and functions. Possible effects of F. aquilonia
ants on species communities of invertebrates and plants were studied in the pine-dominated
Geitaknottane forest reserve, Norway. Species richness of carabids, lichens and
epiphytes (tree-living lichens and bryophytes) was negatively affected by ant mound
density. Species of all groups, except for lichens and snails, were affected either positively
or negatively by ant presence. Food availability and interference competition are
plausible explanations of decreased species richness and negative species associations
in carabids; while collecting, foraging and changed chemical environment may explain
decreased species richness in lichens and epiphytes. Thirteen out of 15 plant and invertebrate
species were weakly associated with ant mound density. Associations of only
two species (Carabus violaceus and Drusilla canaliculata) were negative, while Pella
humeralis and Agroeca proxima were associated positively and very strongly with ant
mounds. Positive associations with ants of those invertebrates may be a response to
excessive abundance of food and chemical mimicry.
engineers affecting ecosystem properties and functions. Possible effects of F. aquilonia
ants on species communities of invertebrates and plants were studied in the pine-dominated
Geitaknottane forest reserve, Norway. Species richness of carabids, lichens and
epiphytes (tree-living lichens and bryophytes) was negatively affected by ant mound
density. Species of all groups, except for lichens and snails, were affected either positively
or negatively by ant presence. Food availability and interference competition are
plausible explanations of decreased species richness and negative species associations
in carabids; while collecting, foraging and changed chemical environment may explain
decreased species richness in lichens and epiphytes. Thirteen out of 15 plant and invertebrate
species were weakly associated with ant mound density. Associations of only
two species (Carabus violaceus and Drusilla canaliculata) were negative, while Pella
humeralis and Agroeca proxima were associated positively and very strongly with ant
mounds. Positive associations with ants of those invertebrates may be a response to
excessive abundance of food and chemical mimicry.
Publisert i Annales Zoologici Fennici, 2018
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