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

Elena Evgenievna Boryakova,Svetlana Anatolievna Melnik

doi:10.17816/snv201764103

Elena Evgenievna Boryakova, Svetlana Anatolievna Melnik

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17816/snv201764103

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

51 species were identified from 2 departments (Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta), 4 classes (Haplomitriopsida, Jungermannopsida, Polytrichopsida, Bryopsida), 11 orders, 28 families and 39 genera during the long-term studies of bryophytes from the main types of plant communities in the Krasnosamarsky forest (Samara Region)
Leading families (Pylaisiaceae, Brachytheciaceae, Amblystegiaceae, Dicranaceae, Orthotrichaceae, Bryaceae, Mniaceae) account for 56,9% of the total studied bryoflora in the forest. 46 species (90,2%) were found in forest communities, 36 species (70,6%) in deciduous forests and 25 (49%) – in coniferous, 9,8% bryoflora noted at the meadow and steppe sites. 32 species (62,7%) of bryophytes grow on the soil, 24 species (47,1%) – on the bark of trees, 18 species (35,3%) – on decaying wood and 3 species (5,9%) – on anthropogenic substrate
Ecomorphic analysis showed that mesophytes (37,3%) and mesotrophs (35,3%) prevail in the Krasnosamarsky forest

Summary

Introduction

51 species were identified from 2 departments (Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta), 4 classes (Haplomitriopsida, Jungermannopsida, Polytrichopsida, Bryopsida), 11 orders, 28 families and 39 genera during the long-term (from 2010 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2017) studies of bryophytes from the main types of plant communities in the Krasnosamarsky forest (Samara Region). ВЛИЯНИЕ РЫЖИХ ЛЕСНЫХ МУРАВЬЕВ (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE) НА ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННОЕ РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ МЕЛКИХ МЛЕКОПИТАЮЩИХ В данной статье представлены результаты исследования, посвященного изучению хорологического взаимодействия мелких млекопитающих и рыжих лесных муравьев.

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