The Aging of Urban Gardens Can Enhance Their Role as Refuges for Local Ant Species

Diversity, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 17(1), С. 64 - 64

Опубликована: Янв. 17, 2025

Urban gardens can be crucial for preserving the biodiversity in cities, but their construction often leads to shifts local ant communities due drastic habitat changes. Over time, recover as species arrive from surrounding habitats. In this study, we explored community dynamics over ten years four of varying maturity on a university campus South Spain. We examined: (1) composition and natural/seminatural areas; (2) changes time; (3) indicator values campus; (4) population most representative species. found distinct compositions The older showed greater similarity natural areas than young gardens. youngest garden, initially declined post-construction later increased levels comparable Exotic were more abundant native like garden Lasius niger years. that disturbances promote establishment exotic species, regardless maturity. emphasize importance context-dependent interpretation bioindicator information assess ecological status accurately.

Язык: Английский

Behavioural changes in the city: The common black garden ant defends aphids more aggressively in urban environments

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 14(7)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

Abstract Urbanisation alters biodiversity patterns and threatens to disrupt mutualistic interactions. Aside from pollination, however, little is known about how mutualisms change in cities. Our study aimed assess urbanisation affects the protective mutualism between ants aphids, investigating potential behavioural changes their implications for aphids urban environments. To do so, we studied pink tansy aphid ( Metopeurum fuscoviride ) black garden ant Lasius niger along an gradient Berlin, Germany. In nine locations this gradient, measured colony dynamics proxies parasitism, quantified investment of tending conducted assays test aggressiveness responses a simulated attack on aphids. We found that colonies flourished were equally tended by across with consistent positive density dependence numbers. However, more urbanised sites responded aggressively attack. findings suggest not only maintained city, but might even rely it defend aggressively, as other food resources may become scarce unpredictable urbanisation. thereby provide unique insights into type further diversifying growing body work gradients.

Язык: Английский

Biotic challenges in the city: Dietary restrictions and body fat content of female sexuals in urban ant populations

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 2, 2024

Abstract Urban habitats represent an important challenge for many organisms. Besides the abiotic changes, urban are also characterized by changes in biotic conditions, such as a more uniform species composition and declining population sizes. For ants this can result dietary shortages. In our study, we tested whether ant colonies might suffer from restrictions carrying out common garden experiment which rural were exposed to high carbohydrate, protein, fat / protein diets. We investigated body content of individuals both habitat types. Our findings suggest lower availability high-quality carbohydrates areas. Additionally, while not statistically significant, exhibited tendency consume greater quantities proteins compared colonies. This trend was line with higher observed female sexuals (gynes) These results indicate outcome evolutionary feedback process adapt nutritional constraints environments. They achieve minimizing investment gynes, require fewer reserves survival during colony foundation due reduced competition nesting sites within green spaces.

Язык: Английский