The Intranidal Myrmecophiles of the Maltese Islands with Notes on Messor Nests as Repositories of Biodiversity

Cassar, Thomas; Lapeva-Gjonova, Albena; Mifsud, David

doi:10.3390/insects14010045

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 87 publications

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“…However, some generalist silverfish (genera Proatelurina Paclt, 1963, Lepisma Linnaeus, 1758, and Ctenolepisma Escherich, 1905 can also be associated with Messor barbarus (ParMentIer et al, 2022). It therefore appears that Messor nests shelter a wide diversity of myrmecophilous insects, as was demonstrated on the Maltese islands (Cassar et al, 2023).…”

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confidence: 88%

Oochrotus unicolor Lucas, 1852, in France: updated distribution, faunistics and ecology (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Diaperinae)

Cabon,

Soldati

2024

Bull. Soc. entomol. Fr.

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Oochrotus unicolor Lucas, 1852 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) is a rarely collected and little-known myrmecophilous with reduced eyes darkling beetle, mostly living deep in the nests of seed-harvesting ants belonging to the genus Messor Forel, 1890 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). As of now, few data are available and the distribution of the species in France needs to be updated, particularly due to the recent discovery of new localities and new administrative departments. Oochrotus unicolor is currently known in six Mediterranean departments: Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, Hérault, Bouches-du- Rhône, Var and Alpes-Maritimes (from west to east), with a total of only 24 localities, including historical data. We detail and discuss the commensalism of the species. A distribution map and photos of adults are also provided.

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confidence: 88%

Oochrotus unicolor Lucas, 1852, in France: updated distribution, faunistics and ecology (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Diaperinae)

Cabon,

Soldati

2024

Bull. Soc. entomol. Fr.

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Facultative commensalism of gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in Neoponera verenae Forel, 1922 (Formicidae: Ponerinae) nests

Dias-Soares,

Correia,

Santos

et al. 2024

Insect. Soc.

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Ants are a ubiquitous, diverse, and ecologically dominant group and use different types of substrates for nesting. Ant nests offer protection and food in a temperature-and humidity-stable environment. Such an environment attracts numerous organisms that live in association with these social insects. The occurrence and interactions of some myrmecophilous groups have been widely studied, such as those of coleopterans and lepidopterans. Other groups have been neglected in this regard, such as gastropods. This study presents a series of observations of the interactions between gastropods and the Neotropical ponerine ant Neoponera verenae. A total of 56 individuals belonging to four families, seven genera, and eight species of terrestrial gastropods were found in ant nests established in three types of substrates (dry cocoa pod, soil, and decaying wood trunk). The most frequent gastropod family was Achatinidae (n = 41), followed by Scolodontidae (n = 13), Helicinidae (n = 1), and Vitrinidae (n = 1). The most frequent genera were Allopeas and Leptinaria (both from Achatinidae), which together accounted for 57.1% of the observed specimens. Young and adult individuals of Leptinaria sp.1 were found in ant nests. Neither aggressive nor predatory behaviors were recorded in interactions between ants and gastropods.Gastropods mainly made use of the shelter provided by ant nests, their favorable and stable microclimatic conditions, and the abundant food resources stored in waste chambers. Our study includes unpublished records of ant nest commensals and presents hypotheses on the close interactions between gastropods and ants.

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First record of the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus as an ant guest along foraging trails and inside Messor ebeninus nests in the Negev Desert

Oxman,

Ku,

O’Donnell

2024

Preprint

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We report field observations of the cosmopolitan terrestrial isopod species Porcellionides pruinosus both inside multiple nests and following foraging trails of the seed harvester ant Messor ebeninus in the spring of 2022 and 2023. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of P. pruinosus in association with any ant species. Isopods inside the nest either travelled to deeper tunnels or joined foraging trails. The density of isopods along foraging trails was as high as sixty individuals along one 22meter foraging trail. Results from twelve preliminary homing assays revealed that the distance isopods were displaced did not affect whether they returned to the trail, but the farther away they were displaced the longer it took them to return to the trail. Two of the four isopods introduced into a foraging trail of a new nest continued walking with the foreign trail. Isopods were met with minimal aggression from the ants along the trail, and there were no instances of nest guarding observed. The presence of P. pruinosus inside M. ebeninus. nests could be driven by a need for thermal refuge and access to subterranean granaries. The known ability of isopods to cue into ant pheromones is a plausible mechanism for allowing isopods to follow foraging trails. The benefit of trail following behavior needs further investigation. We hypothesize a benefit to walking on a path clear of obstacles, and efficient detection of patchy desert food sources.

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The Intranidal Myrmecophiles of the Maltese Islands with Notes on Messor Nests as Repositories of Biodiversity

Cited by 3 publications

References 87 publications

Oochrotus unicolor Lucas, 1852, in France: updated distribution, faunistics and ecology (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Diaperinae)

Oochrotus unicolor Lucas, 1852, in France: updated distribution, faunistics and ecology (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Diaperinae)

Facultative commensalism of gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in Neoponera verenae Forel, 1922 (Formicidae: Ponerinae) nests

First record of the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus as an ant guest along foraging trails and inside Messor ebeninus nests in the Negev Desert

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