Ant crickets and their secrets: Myrmecophilus acervorum is not always parthenogenetic (Insecta: Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae)
Abstract Previously considered as a thelytokous parthenogenetic species, the widespread ant cricket Myrmecophilus acervorum actually turns out to have a mixed reproductive system: our recent surveys in the central part of its distribution area has revealed the presence of both sexes. Detailed morphological and morphometric descriptions of the previously unknown males are here provided. New data on species distribution in south-eastern Europe are presented, including the first records of M. balcanicus in Bulgaria and of M. nonveilleri in Bulgaria and Hungary. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses have revealed several haplotypes of M. acervorum in Europe, with six of them forming a parth…
Succession in ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in deciduous forest clear-cuts - an Eastern European case study
Clear-cutting, the main method of harvesting in many forests in the world, causes a series of dramatic environmental changes to the forest habitat and removes habitat resources for arboreal and epigeal species. It results in considerable changes in the composition of both plant and animal communities. Ants have many critical roles in the maintenance and functioning of forest ecosystems. Therefore, the response of ants to clear-cutting and the time it takes for an ant community to recover after clear-cutting are important indicators of the effect of this harvesting technique on the forest ecosystem. We investigated ground-dwelling ant communities during secondary succession of deciduous fore…
First Record of the Dacetine Ant Strumigenys argiola (Emery, 1869) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Romania
AbstractThe Romanian ant fauna is poorly known. It seems that many cryptic and parasitic species are missing from the checklist, including species with their ranges primarily outside of the Mediterranean. Herein,Strumigenys argiola(Emery, 1869) is a newly recorded species for the ant fauna of Romania, one male being collected in North–Eastern Romania.Strumigenys argiolalives in the soil, and hunts for small arthropods. For the time being, a total of 112 ant species are known from Romania.
Land degradation a matter of attitude? A case study from southern Transylvania (Romania)
A better public perception and knowledge on land degradation increases the individual and collective responsibility in land use and land management. Based on interviews, this paper presents results of evaluation of public perception and attitude towards degrading phenomena in the central part of Romania, an area prone to geomorphologic processes, with different land uses and a high proportion of degraded land. The research reveals natural causes, improper land use, categories of land owned, socio-economic causes and involvement of institutions as key aspects of public perception. Our research could be useful in the identification and design of measures in regional planning to attract popula…