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The importance of diurnal and nocturnal activity and interspecific interactions for space use by ants in clear‐cuts
Author(s) -
ŻMIHORSKI MICHAŁ,
ŚLIPIŃSKI PIOTR
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
ecological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0307-6946
DOI - 10.1111/een.12297
Subject(s) - nocturnal , biology , interspecific competition , ecology , circadian rhythm , botany , zoology , neuroscience
1. Full sunlight conditions in open clear‐cuts may limit the activity of ants as soil surface temperatures reach lethal levels. Therefore, differences may be expected between the diurnal and nocturnal activity of ants, and in the interactions between ant species. These predictions, however, have been poorly investigated so far. 2. The circadian activity of ants in clear‐cuts in managed forests in P oland was investigated. Repeated counts of ants were performed during the day and the following night at the clear‐cut edge and in the clear‐cut interior. Interspecific interactions and the effect of plant coverage were also considered. 3. Abundances of F ormica fusca L innaeus and red wood ants were higher during the day, whereas M yrmica were more common at night. F ormica fusca , L asius and red wood ants were more common at the clear‐cut edge than in the interior. M yrmica showed the opposite pattern, but at night, its numbers increased at the edge. Plant coverage positively affected F . fusca and red wood ants. 4. Red wood ants tended to be negatively associated with L asius , whereas they were neutral for F. fusca . The negative association of red wood ants and M yrmica was stronger during the day compared to night. 5. The time of day was a strong driver of ant activity in the clear‐cuts, whereas the distribution of red wood ants was of lesser importance. It is concluded that circadian activity may substantially contribute to niche separation between coexisting species, therefore, studies performed exclusively during the day cannot reflect the real structure of the community.