Myrmecophilous Beetles in the Colonies of the Red Wood Ant Formica aquilonia Yarrow (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Abstract

In model anthill complexes of the Verkhnyaya Klyaz’ma Myrmecological Reserve, Moscow oblast, the composition and distribution patterns of beetles (Coleoptera) living inside the colonies of F. aquilonia were monitored in 2004–2009. Altogether, 1822 beetle specimens were collected, belonging to 75 species and 16 families. The most abundant were Ptiliidae (994 inds.) and Staphylinidae (504 inds.). In terms of species richness, Staphylinidae was the leading family: 43 species (57%). Among the myrmecophiles proper, 17 species belonged to Staphylinidae and 15 to other Coleoptera families. The patterns of Coleoptera populations in the nests depend on the condition of the anthill, the topographic position (floodplain, river terrace, slope), and the composition of the nest material. The faunistic similarity of Coleoptera appears to be higher in anthill groups interconnected through individual ant exchanges or retaining kinship after migratory processes in the recent past.