Behavioural and chemical mechanisms behind a Mediterranean ant–ant association

1. Interspecific competition among ants is common, and so is competitive exclusion among dominant ant species. In contrast, specific associations between non‐parasitic ant species are rare, especially in the temperate zones. As an exception, the subordinate ant Camponotus lateralis frequently co‐occurs with the dominant Crematogaster scutellaris but rarely with other dominant ants. 2. This association is one of various associations between Camponotus and Crematogaster species across the world. However, the mechanisms behind these co‐occurences are largely unknown. 3. In the present study, we therefore investigated the association of Ca. lateralis and Cr. scutellaris. We studied the spatial association of the nests, interspecific aggression, both species' cuticular hydrocarbon profiles, and their propensity to follow the other species' pheromone trails. 4. Crematogaster scutellaris usually attacked and displaced the generally submissive Ca. lateralis, but was significantly less aggressive at jointly used trails. Camponotus nests were always in close proximity to Crematogaster nests. 5. The cuticular hydrocarbons of both species consisted of alkanes with chain lengths between C21 and C35. The two species had 25 hydrocarbons in common, including mono‐, di‐, and tetramethyl alkanes. Despite this qualitative similarity, however, the quantitative hydrocarbon composition differed between the two species. 6. Camponotus lateralis followed artificial trails containing trail pheromones of Cr. scutellaris, but the latter did not follow Ca. lateralis trail pheromones. Interspecific trail‐following by Camponotus, but not vice versa, has been observed in another Camponotus–Crematogaster association and may be a more general mechanism that facilitates associations between the two ant genera.     

Influence of the wood ant, Formica polyctena, on soil nutrient and the spruce tree growth

The effect of Formica polyctena ant nests on the distribution of soil nutrients, soil pH and the growth of Norway spruce trees was studied in the southern part of the Czech Republic. Soil nutrient content (exchangeable P, N, K and pH) and growth of mature spruce trees were measured at four distances from the nearest ant hill (0–1, 3–5, 10–50 and >200 m). Trees at all distances were visited by ants, except for those >200 m from the nearest nest. Soil pH and of P, K and NO₃ concentrations were higher near ant nests (<1 m), and pH and K at distances of 3–5 m, when compared with distances of 10–50 and >200 m from the nests, where no significant differences in these variables were detected. In contrast, tree ring analyses (1974–2004) showed that trees >200 m from the ant nests grew significantly faster than trees at other distances, followed by trees within 1 m of the nests. No growth differences were found between the growth of trees at 3–5 and 10–50 m from ant nests. We postulate that nutrient and carbohydrate removal of honeydew collected by ant‐tended aphids are slowing growth of tree. However, trees may partly compensate for this depletion by having access to a larger supply of soil nutrients near ant nests.     

Impact of Argentine ants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Linepithema humile</Emphasis>) on an arboreal ant community in Doñana National Park,Spain

Due to the invasive character of the exotic Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), its use of aphids in trees, and the ecological importance of the Doñana National Park (Spain) that is invaded by this species, we designed a study to analyze the extent of the problem with native species of arboreal ants. By searching for de visu the species that inhabited 182 cork trees, we found out that the structure of the community of native arboreal ants has been greatly influenced by interspecific competition. The introduced species L. humile and the native species Crematogaster scutellaris and Lasius brunneus are dominant, while Camponotus lateralis and Camponotus truncatus are subordinate species associated with C. scutellaris. The distribution of the species in the trees depends on these relationships. Species richness is determined by tree size, thus, when a tree is large enough all native species may appear together. However, in areas colonized by L. humile, this is the only species occupying the tree, regardless of tree size. L. humile is displacing native arboreal ant species as shown by the fact that from 1992 to 2000 the exotic species occupied 23 new cork trees (of the 182 studied) previously inhabited by native species.     

The Rules of Aggression: How Genetic,Chemical and Spatial Factors Affect Intercolony Fights in a Dominant Species,the Mediterranean Acrobat Ant Crematogaster scutellaris

Nest-mate recognition plays a key role in the biology of ants. Although individuals coming from a foreign nest are, in most cases, promptly rejected, the degree of aggressiveness towards non nest-mates may be highly variable among species and relies on genetic, chemical and environmental factors. We analyzed intraspecific relationships among neighboring colonies of the dominant Mediterranean acrobat ant Crematogaster scutellaris integrating genetic, chemical and behavioral analyses. Colony structure, parental relationships between nests, cuticular hydrocarbons profiles (CHCs) and aggressive behavior against non nest-mates were studied in 34 nests located in olive tree trunks. Bayesian clustering analysis of allelic variation at nine species-specific microsatellite DNA markers pooled nests into 14 distinct clusters, each representing a single colony, confirming a polydomous arrangement of nests in this species. A marked genetic separation among colonies was also detected, probably due to long distance dispersion of queens and males during nuptial flights. CHCs profiles varied significantly among colonies and between nests of the same colony. No relationship between CHCs profiles and genetic distances was detected. The level of aggressiveness between colonies was inversely related to chemical and spatial distance, suggesting a ‘nasty neighbor’ effect. Our findings also suggest that CHCs profiles in C. scutellaris may be linked to external environmental factors rather than genetic relationships.     

Stable isotopes analysis to assess the trophic role of ants in a Mediterranean agroecosystem

1 Stable isotopes signatures (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of the most important tree‐dwelling ants in an olive orchard were examined, together with the signatures of the most common herbivores, predators and sap‐sucking insects. The olive orchard consists of separate subunits (trees) surrounded by a matrix of grasses or bare ground, and the role of ants in such a system is not fully understood. 2 None of the selected ant species was exclusive to the olive trees because they were also observed foraging on vegetation (mainly thistle) under the tree crowns. Hence, the relative contributions of these two sources of energy (olive trees versus herbs/grasses) were assessed by comparing the δ¹³C of ants with the signatures of plants and those of other arthropods collected on the trees and on nearby thistles. Next, the trophic level occupied by the ants and their ecological role within the olive food web were determined by examining the δ¹⁵N values and their relationship with indices of ecological performance measuring the potential pressure exerted by each species on the ecosystem. 3 The analysis of ¹³C signatures revealed a different contribution of the two energy sources, olive trees versus herbs and grasses, with the former being more important for ants. The analysis of ¹⁵N signatures suggested separate roles for different ant species: some (Crematogaster scutellaris, Lasius lasioides) occupied a higher trophic level, mostly involved in predation, whereas others (Camponotus piceus, Camponotus lateralis) occupied a lower level, probably involved more in homopteran tending. A fifth species (Camponotus aethiops) was in an intermediate position. Finally, the δ¹⁵N levels of the species were significantly correlated with indices of ecological performance.     

Use of exotic conifers as nesting sites by Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis melanopis) in an urban area of southern Chile

We studied the influence of seven habitat variables, including tree species, for nesting by the Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis melanopis) in an urban area of southern Chile. Variables were compared between 30 trees with nests and 30 randomly selected trees without nests. Nests were found in big trees with large diameters and heights. However, the only variable found to have a significant effect on site selection was tree species, which explained 57.9% of data variability (deviance) and suggested a selection of exotic conifers, mainly Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Tree species and tree diameter also had significant effects upon the number of nests per tree, jointly explaining 68.9% of data deviance. Our results suggest that in urban environments the Black-faced Ibis uses larger trees that provide greater nest stability and protection.     

Seasonal spatial dynamics and causes of nest movement in colonies of the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile)

Abstract.  1. Colony organisation and movement behaviour of the Argentine ant ( Linepithema humile ) was studied over 3 years in field populations in California and in captive colonies in the laboratory. This invasive species is highly polydomous and unicolonial; colonies consist of expansive and fluid networks of nests and trails. The spatial and temporal organisation of colonies may contribute to ecological dominance.
2. Argentine ant nests and inter-nest trails shift in size, abundance, and location, so that colony networks are spatially contracted in the winter and expanded spring to autumn. Colonies occupy permanent sites; ants migrated to and from the same winter nest locations year after year, and occupied 30% of the same nests repeatedly during seasonal migrations.
3. Nests were moved on average 2–3 m. Forty-two per cent were occupied less than 1 month, 4% the entire study, and the other 54% lasted 3.9 ± 2.3 months (mean ± SD).
4. Nests were located within 2–4 m of woody plants, in warm sites in the winter and cool sites in the summer. Both humidity and food availability influenced nest-site choice in laboratory colonies. However, when faced with a trade-off between factors, the ants chose humid nest boxes over nest boxes near food, and ants moved nests only in response to changes in humidity and not distance to food.
5. The results indicate that L. humile colonies are seasonally polydomous, and that nest movements are driven by changes in microclimate. Colony organisation maintains high local density and increases food supply, which may improve the competitive ability of L. humile colonies and reduce opportunities for species coexistence.     

Stage‐dependent responses to emergent habitat heterogeneity: consequences for a predatory insect population in a coffee agroecosystem

Interactions among members of biological communities can create spatial patterns that effectively generate habitat heterogeneity for other members in the community, and this heterogeneity might be crucial for their persistence. For example, stage‐dependent vulnerability of a predatory lady beetle to aggression of the ant, Azteca instabilis, creates two habitat types that are utilized differently by the immature and adult life stages of the beetle. Due to a mutualistic association between A. instabilis and the hemipteran Coccus viridis – which is A. orbigera main prey in the area – only plants around ant nests have high C. viridis populations. Here, we report on a series of surveys at three different scales aimed at detecting how the presence and clustered distribution of ant nests affect the distribution of the different life stages of this predatory lady beetle in a coffee farm in Chiapas, Mexico. Both beetle adults and larvae were more abundant in areas with ant nests, but adults were restricted to the peripheries of highest ant activity and outside the reach of coffee bushes containing the highest densities of lady beetle larvae. The abundance of adult beetles located around trees with ants increased with the size of the ant nest clusters but the relationship is not significant for larvae. Thus, we suggest that A. orbigera undergoes an ontogenetic niche shift, not through shifting prey species, but through stage‐specific vulnerability differences against a competitor that renders areas of abundant prey populations inaccessible for adults but not for larvae. Together with evidence presented elsewhere, this study shows how an important predator is not only dependent on the existence of two qualitatively distinct habitat types, but also on the spatial distribution of these habitats. We suggest that this dependency arises due to the different responses that the predator's life stages have to this emergent spatial pattern.     

Observations on the Ecology of Weaver Ants (Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius) in a Thai Mangrove Ecosystem and Their Effect on Herbivory of Rhizophora mucronata Lam.

Ants of the genus Oecophylla are predators of other insects and are able to protect a variety of terrestrial plants against pest insects; however, observations on the ecology of these ants in mangrove forests are lacking. General observations on the ecology of Oecophylla smaragdina were carried out in a Thai mangrove forest to determine if these ants can protect their host plants in less favorable mangrove habitats. Leaf herbivory and the density of O. smaragdina ants were measured on Rhizophora mucronata trees at two sites. The results showed a negative correlation between ant density and herbivory. At both sites, the mean percent damaged leaf area was more than four times higher on trees without ants compared to “ant‐trees.” A significant negative correlation was found between tree mean percent leaf damage and the density of ants on the tree. Furthermore, on trees with ants, there was less herbivory on leaves close to ant nests compared to other leaves on the tree. Most damage was caused by chrysomelid beetles (62%) and sesarmid crabs (25%) and both types of herbivory were significantly reduced on ant‐trees.     

Colony structure and spatial distribution of food resources in the polydomous meat ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Iridomyrmex purpureus</Emphasis>

Polydomous social insects may reduce the costs of foraging by the strategic distribution of nests throughout their territory or home-range. This efficiency may most likely be achieved if the resources are relatively stable in place and time, and the colonies and nests are distributed in response to the location of the resources. However, no study has investigated how the distribution of food sources influences the spatial patterns of nests within polydomous colonies under natural conditions. Our two year study of 140 colonies of the Australian ant Iridomyrmex purpureus revealed that the decentralization of nests within colonies is associated with the distribution of trees containing honey-dew producing hemiptera. We show there is a positive correlation between the maximum distance between trees containing hemiptera and the maximum distance between nests within a colony. In addition, we demonstrate the mechanism by which this pattern may arise; new nests are built nearer to trees containing hemiptera than existing nests. Further, the distance between trees containing hemiptera and the nearest nests was negatively correlated with the length of exploitation of that tree. Finally, we show that most food is delivered to the nearest nest after which other ants redistribute it between the nests. Combined, these data suggest that foraging efficiency may be an important selection pressure favouring polydomy in I. purpureus. Received 6 April 2006; revised 29 September; accepted 4 October 2006.     

Spatial and temporal factors associated with nest survival of Gray Flycatchers in managed ponderosa pine forests

Gray Flycatchers (Empidonax wrightii) breed in a variety of habitats in the arid and semi‐arid regions of the western United States, but little is known about their breeding biology, especially in the northern portion of their range where they nest in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests. From May to July 2014 and 2015, we conducted surveys for singing male Gray Flycatchers along the eastern slope of the Cascade Range in Washington, U.S.A, monitored flycatcher nests, and quantified nest‐site vegetation. We used a logistic‐exposure model fit within a Bayesian framework to model the daily survival probability of flycatcher nests. During the 2 yr of our study, we monitored 141 nests, with 93% in ponderosa pines. Mean clutch size was 3.6 eggs and the mean number of young fledged per nest was 3.2. Predation accounted for 90% of failed nests. We found a positive association between daily nest survival and both nest height and distance of nest substrates from the nearest tree. Flycatchers that locate their nests higher above the ground and further from adjacent trees may be choosing the safest alternative because higher nests may be less exposed to terrestrial predators and nests in trees that are farther from other trees may be less exposed to arboreal predators such as jays (Corvidae) that may forage in patches with connected canopies. Nests in trees farther from other trees may also allow earlier detection of approaching predators and thus aid in nest defense.     

Disentangling the Diversity of Arboreal Ant Communities in Tropical Forest Trees

Tropical canopies are known for their high abundance and diversity of ants. However, the factors which enable coexistence of so many species in trees, and in particular, the role of foragers in determining local diversity, are not well understood. We censused nesting and foraging arboreal ant communities in two 0.32 ha plots of primary and secondary lowland rainforest in New Guinea and explored their species diversity and composition. Null models were used to test if the records of species foraging (but not nesting) in a tree were dependent on the spatial distribution of nests in surrounding trees. In total, 102 ant species from 389 trees occurred in the primary plot compared with only 50 species from 295 trees in the secondary forest plot. However, there was only a small difference in mean ant richness per tree between primary and secondary forest (3.8 and 3.3 sp. respectively) and considerably lower richness per tree was found only when nests were considered (1.5 sp. in both forests). About half of foraging individuals collected in a tree belonged to species which were not nesting in that tree. Null models showed that the ants foraging but not nesting in a tree are more likely to nest in nearby trees than would be expected at random. The effects of both forest stage and tree size traits were similar regardless of whether only foragers, only nests, or both datasets combined were considered. However, relative abundance distributions of species differed between foraging and nesting communities. The primary forest plot was dominated by native ant species, whereas invasive species were common in secondary forest. This study demonstrates the high contribution of foragers to arboreal ant diversity, indicating an important role of connectivity between trees, and also highlights the importance of primary vegetation for the conservation of native ant communities.     

Negative Correlation between Ant and Spider Abundances in the Canopy of a Bornean Tropical Rain Forest

In tropical rain forests, high canopy trees have diverse and abundant populations of ants and spiders. However, accessing high trees and their fauna remains difficult; thus, how ants and spiders interact in the canopy remains unclear. To better understand the interspecific interactions between these two dominant arthropod groups, we investigated their spatial distributions at the canopy surface in a tropical rain forest in Borneo. We sampled ants and spiders six times between 2009 and 2011 by sweeping with an insect net at the tree crown surfaces of 190 emergent or tall (≥20 m in height) trees. We collected 438 ant individuals belonging to 94 species and 1850 spider individuals (1630 juveniles and 220 adults) belonging to 142 morphospecies (adults only) from a total of 976 samples. The fact that we collected four times more spider individuals than ant individuals suggests that fewer ants forage at the tree crown surface than previously thought. The number of spider individuals negatively correlated with the number of ant individuals and the number of ant species, indicating significant exclusivity between ant and spider spatial distributions at the tree crown surface. Niche‐overlap between the two taxa confirmed this observation. Although our data do not address the causes of these spatial distributions, antagonistic interspecific interactions such as interference behaviors and intra‐guild predation are ecological mechanisms that give rise to exclusive spatial distributions.     

Effect of parasitoids,seed‐predators and ant‐mutualists on fruiting success and germination of Acacia drepanolobium in Kenya

Acacia drepanolobium is an obligate ant‐plant that bears dehiscent pods exploited by predispersal seed‐predators and parasitoids. Fruit set and seed germination in relation to ant‐association, bruchid and parasitoid infestation were investigated in a large‐scale multi‐year study in Kenya. Ant‐association had a significant impact on the overall numbers of fruiting trees. 94.8% of Crematogaster mimosae‐occupied trees, 25.6% of C. nigriceps‐occupied trees, and 82.2% of Tetraponera penzigi‐occupied trees set fruit. Within each tree, ant‐association had no significant impact on the amount of seed produced: C. mimosae‐occupied trees produced 47.5 seeds per branch, C. nigriceps‐occupied trees 44.9 seeds per branch and T. penzigi‐occupied trees 38.3 seeds per branch. Ant‐association did not limit seed‐predators or vary significantly by ant. Seeds infested by bruchids germinated in significantly lower proportions (6.2%) compared to uninfested seed (78.6%). Bruchid‐infested seed is also exploited by parasitoid wasps. Parasitoids appear to have a moderate but significant ‘rescue’ effect on bruchid‐infested seed with 18.4% of parasitoid‐infested seed germinating. Stable isotopes (δ15N) revealed the trophic structure of the seed‐associated insects, showing clearly that bruchids are seed predators and the parasitoid wasp Dinarmus magnus exploits the dominant Bruchidius sp.     

Extrafloral nectar as a driver of arboreal ant communities at the site‐scale in Brazilian savanna

Despite years of study, it remains unclear if and to what extent the effects of extra‐floral nectaries (EFNs) on arboreal ants observed on individual trees scale up to larger spatial scales. Here, we address this issue in Brazilian savanna and tested three predictions: (i) Trees with EFN have higher richness of arboreal ant species than trees without; (ii) Arboreal ant species richness increases with the proportion of total EFN‐bearing trees at the site scale, due to a higher occurrence of non‐core ant species; (iii) Ant species composition changes with the proportion of EFN‐bearing trees at the site scale. We sampled arboreal ants in 32 plots with EFN‐bearing trees ranging from 0% to 60% of all trees. We sampled 72 ant species, from which 17 (mostly belonging to Camponotus, Cephalotes and Crematogaster) were identified as core species in at least one of the ant‐EFN networks in the 32 plots. Ant species richness was significantly higher on EFN‐bearing trees. We identified 11 ant species that preferentially occurred on EFN‐bearing trees, all of which were core partners in networks. Species richness at the site scales increased with the proportion of EFN‐bearing trees, regardless of tree density and richness; this pattern was due to a higher occurrence of non‐core ant species. Finally, species composition also varied with the proportion of EFN‐bearing trees. Therefore, we found that the presence of EFNs not only influences arboreal ants on individual trees but also has a substantial effect on the ant‐EFN network on a broader community scale. The increase in non‐core species site scale reveals that this interaction is unlikely to result in substantially enhanced protection services for EFN‐bearing plants.     

凉水自然保护区松鼠巢址选择的特征

2006 年6 月11 日至9 月27 日和2007 年8 月14 日至9 月21 日采用样线法,并结合定位观察的方法在凉水国家级自然保护区对松鼠的巢址选择进行了定量研究,共获取107 个巢样方和230 个对照样方。对每个样方分别测定了12 个巢树参数和7 个环境参数。统计分析结果表明,松鼠仅在针叶树上营巢,59.8 ± 4. 7% 的巢建于红松上,但对枝叶比红松更为浓密的云杉和臭冷杉有显著的选择性,而且显著倾向于在以云杉、臭冷杉为优势树种的生境中营巢。松鼠选择比较高大(树高21.5 ± 0.4 m)、活动通道比较多(3.6 ±0.1)的树营巢,巢树周围的树木密度(169 ± 4 株/ hm² )和多样性(辛普森指数0.51 ± 0.01)显著高于对照样方。巢址生境多位于南向的中、下坡位。巢址高12.4 ± 0.4 m,紧贴树干,多朝南。红松树上的巢多建于树冠的中下部,云杉和臭冷杉树上的巢多建于树冠的上部。松鼠巢对包括道路在内的林隙没有显著的回避。     

Suburban sprawl: environmental features affect colony social and spatial structure in the black carpenter ant,Camponotus pennsylvanicus

1. In social insects, the number of nests that a colony inhabits may have important consequences for colony genetic structure, the number of queens, sex allocation, foraging efficiency, and nestmate recognition. Within the ants, colonies may either occupy a single nest (monodomy) or may be organised into a complex network of nests and trails, a condition known as polydomy. 2. The current study is a large‐scale, long‐term, comprehensive field examination of various features of colony social and spatial structure in the facultatively polydomous black carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus (DeGeer). The study examined the density, persistence, and the spatiotemporal distribution of colonies across a gradient of land disturbance associated with urban development. The temporal and spatial pattern of nest use was compared between fragmented landscapes where nesting sites were interspersed among human‐built structures (urban plots) and less disturbed landscapes with higher tree density (suburban plots). In addition, nesting site fidelity and changes in colony spatial structure were monitored over 7 years. 3. Long‐term monitoring and extensive sampling over a large spatial area allowed the first comprehensive insight into the spatiotemporal dynamics of colony and population structure in C. pennsylvanicus. A total of 1113 trees were inspected over 233 ha. Camponotus pennsylvanicus were active on 348 of the 1113 trees (31%) and these represented 182 distinct colonies. The colonisation rate remained relatively stable over 7 years suggesting that an equilibrium point had been reached. Relative to the suburban plots, tree density was 65% lower in the urban plots. The proportion of trees colonised by C. pennsylvanicus was significantly higher in the urban plots suggesting that intraspecific competition for nesting sites may be especially high in areas with lower tree density. Colony spatial structure also differed significantly between habitats and a higher incidence of monodomy was observed in the urban environment. The average number of trees per colony across all subplots was 1.95 (range 1–4) indicating that C. pennsylvanicus are weakly polydomous. 4. The composite picture that emerges for C. pennsylvanicus colonies in the urban habitat is a chain reaction of events: (i) the urban habitat has a lower tree density, (ii) lower tree density results in higher tree colonisation rate, (iii) higher tree colonisation rate results in simpler colony spatial structure (i.e. higher incidence of monodomy), and (iv) simpler colony spatial structure results in numerically smaller colonies. Long‐term monitoring of the spatiotemporal pattern of nest site use in selected colonies revealed a unique trend. While worker counts in selected colonies remained relatively stable throughout the course of the study, colony spatial structure changed considerably with 28% of colonies experiencing a change. Furthermore, the likelihood of detecting a change in colony spatial structure increased with the amount of time passing from the initial inspection. 5. In conclusion, tree density has a significant effect on a number of important colony features in C. pennsylvanicus. Besides tree density, other environmental features such as human‐built structures cause habitat fragmentation and may act as natural barriers to worker dispersal and/or foraging. Such barriers may ultimately affect the social and/or spatial structure at both the colony and the population level.     

A canopy dominant ant affects twig‐nesting ant assembly in coffee agroecosystems

One commonly studied driver of community assembly is the effect of dominant species on subordinate species. Dominant species may impact community assembly during competitive sorting, or recruitment. For ants, important and abundant species in the tropics, several factors may drive community assembly including competition, dispersal, priority effects, and environmental conditions. Although competition is a hallmark of ant ecology, few have examined the influence of patchily distributed dominant ants on other ant species and diversity, especially at the recruitment stage. Here, I consider the impacts of a canopy dominant ant species, Azteca instabilis, and changes in vegetation on twig‐nesting ant colony founding and ant community assembly in a coffee agroecosystem. I added artificial nests to coffee plants in areas with and without A. instabilis four times over a year, and then examined the occupation rate and identity of species colonizing nests. I also examined vegetation characteristics of sites where nests were added. The presence of A. instabilis on coffee plants drastically lowered colonization rates, but nest occupation increased with tree density, and with decreasing proportion of Inga spp. trees in the canopy. The presence of A. instabilis limited the number of nests occupied by six of the ten most common species; most rare species, however, were not affected by A. instabilis presence. Richness of colonizing ants in areas with A. instabilis was lower, but these effects did not significantly affect richness across broader scales. Despite large effects on individual species, species composition did not differ greatly in areas with and without A. instabilis, but some vegetation characteristics (basal area and tree richness) were predictive of ant composition. These results suggest that A. instabilis strongly affects founding events especially for common twig‐nesting species and that both vegetation and influences from this dominant species affect community assembly of twig‐nesting ants at the local scale.     

Spatial distribution of communal nests in a colonial breeding bird: benefits without costs?

Abstract The spatial organization of individuals, or groups of individuals, within a population can provide valuable information about social organization and population dynamics. We analysed the spatial distribution of nests of the sociable weaver (Philetairus socius) on two farms in the Kalahari. Sociable weavers build large communal nests on big savannah trees, forming a pattern of trees with and without nests. We used two spatial statistics, Ripley's K and the pair correlation function, to describe characteristics of the point patterns over a range of distances. (i) At distances of 200 and 300 m, communal nests were clustered. (ii) At distances greater than 1000 m, communal nests were regularly distributed. These findings are independent of the spatial distribution of trees. Furthermore, we used Moran's I to analyse spatial autocorrelation of nest sizes. We expected negative autocorrelation because of competition between nests. But on both farms there was no significant autocorrelation of nest sizes for any distance class. The regular distribution observed at larger distances may indicate competition and/or territoriality among different nests, but the lack of spatial autocorrelation between nest sizes suggests that these interactions may happen between nest clusters rather than between single nests. This was confirmed by significant clustering of nests on small scales. We thus suggest, that colonies of P. socius consist of several nests on adjacent trees forming a cluster of subcolonies. The question why sociable weavers establish subcolonies instead of adding more chambers to the natal nest, could not simply be answered by limitation of nesting space. We suggest a strategy to avoid costs due to increasing colony size.     

Biotic and abiotic determinants of the formation of ant mosaics in primary Neotropical rainforests

1. Ants are widespread in tropical rainforests, including in the canopy where territorially dominant arboreal species represent the main part of the arthropod biomass. 2. By mapping the territories of dominant arboreal ant species and using a null model analysis and a pairwise approach this study was able to show the presence of an ant mosaic on the upper canopy of a primary Neotropical rainforest (c. 1 ha sampled; 157 tall trees from 28 families). Although Neotropical rainforest canopies are frequently irregular, with tree crowns at different heights breaking the continuity of the territories of dominant ants, the latter are preserved via underground galleries or trails laid on the ground. 3. The distribution of the trees influences the structure of the ant mosaic, something related to the attractiveness of tree taxa for certain arboreal ant species rather than others. 4. Small‐scale natural disturbances, most likely strong winds in the area studied (presence of canopy gaps), play a role by favouring the presence of two ant species typical of secondary formations: Camponotus femoratus and Crematogaster levior, which live in parabiosis (i.e. share territories and nests but lodge in different cavities) and build conspicuous ant gardens. In addition, pioneer Cecropia myrmecophytic trees were recorded.