The composition of biofilm formed on artificial microplastics (MPs) during the summer stagnation was studied in a field experiment at five lakes with different trophy. After two-month incubation MPs, molecular analyses were carried out to isolate genetic material bacteria present biofilm. Next-generation sequencing 16S rRNA genes performed identify species. Bacterial abundance also determined lake water (2.31 – 4.26 Mcell ml−1) and from experimental baskets containing MPs (0.58 4.68 ml−1)....

We studied ant communities living in stumps left on clearcuts. The clearcuts were located a managed forest western Poland. Depending the study site, 10-80% of inhabited by colonies. Lasius platythorax was dominant community. found diameter stump to be positively related with occurrence some species. In general, oak and pine similar proportion. Formica fusca, however, showed distinct preference for oaks. All species avoided each other exception F. fusca which preferred all than L....

Formica sanguinea Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a slave-making species, i.e., it raids colonies of host species and pillages pupae, which are taken to develop into adult workers in parasite colony. However, has been unclear if the coexistence F. with slave requires uniformity cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), among those other than n-alkanes believed be principal nestmate recognition cues utilized by ants. In this study, mixed colony (MC) rufa L. as was used test hypothesis that CHCs...

A bstract: Tlie species composition, nest density, structure and ecological profile of an ant community were studied within a transect encompassing the forest interior, edge belt-shaped clearing in moist mixed pine habitat (Querco roboris-Pinetum) Kampinos Forest (Central Poland) context direct indirect human impact bioindicator importance ants.Altogether, 19 found; most abundant ones (in respect number nests) entire under study Temnothorax crassispinus (Karav.)and Myrmica rubra (L.).All...

Intra-colony odor variability can disturb ants' ability to discriminate against intruders. The evolutionary relevance of this phenomenon be revealed by studies on colonies slave-making ants in which the parasite, and not host, is subject selection pressures associated with living a mixed colony. We examined how European facultative species Formica sanguinea its F. fusca slaves perform discriminating from alien colonies. Results behavioral assays showed that slave-maker respond hostility...

1. Ant colonies passing through the period of winter dormancy are subject to two conflicting selective pressures: (i) on escaping coldest temperatures during by hiding deep into soil and (ii) reactivation after overwintering as soon weather conditions become favourable surface is warm enough. 2. If pressures associated with affected differently spatial variation in climate then different strategies can be expected occur across geographical gradients. 3. In this study, Formica fusca were...

Abstract Slave-making ants might exert strong pressure on their host populations by pillaging nests and sometimes destroying the whole colonies. Consequently, have evolved many adaptations reducing probability of being attacked, resisting an assault or, as a last line defence, minimising losses associated with successful slave-maker invasion. This paper presents results study common Palearctic ant species, Formica fusca , which falls victim to slave raids organised congeneric F. sanguinea ....