Trophic interactions in an ant nest microcosm: a combined experimental and stable isotope (δ13C/δ15N) approach

Living in close association with other organisms has proven to be a widespread and successful strategy in nature. Some communities are completely driven by symbiotic associations and therefore, intimate relationships among the partners can be expected. Here, we analyzed in-depth the food web of a particularly rich community of arthropods found in strict association with European red wood ants (Formica rufa group). We studied the trophic links between different ant-associated myrmecophiles and food sources associated with the host ant, but also tested predator–prey links among myrmecophiles themselves. Our approach combined direct feeding tests and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses for a large number of myrmecophiles. The results of the direct feeding tests reveal a complex food web. Most myrmecophiles were found to parasitize on ant brood. Moreover, we encountered multiple trophic predator– prey links among the myrmecophiles. The results of the stable isotope analyses compleme...

与其他生物形成紧密共生关系，已被证实是自然界中广泛存在且极为成功的生存策略。部分生物群落完全依赖共生关联维系，因此其成员间势必存在紧密的互动关系。本研究针对与欧洲红褐林蚁（Formica rufa group）形成严格共生关系的一类物种丰富的节肢动物群落，深入解析了其食物网结构。我们不仅探究了各类蚁栖生物（myrmecophiles）与宿主蚁相关食物源之间的营养联系，还检测了蚁栖生物彼此间的捕食-被捕食关系。本研究结合了针对大量蚁栖生物的直接摄食实验与稳定碳、氮同位素分析方法。直接摄食实验的结果揭示了一个复杂的食物网结构。研究发现，多数蚁栖生物均以蚁子代为寄生宿主。此外，我们还在蚁栖生物类群中发现了多条营养级上的捕食-被捕食联系。稳定同位素分析的结果则对上述发现形成补充……