Dispersion Patterns of Ant Nests in a Cool-temperate Woodland of Northern Japan
摘要
Dispersion patterns of ant nests were analysed by the m-m regression method (IWAO. 1968) and the covariance method (KERSHAW, 1960) in a cool-temperate woodland of Tomakomai Experiment Forest of Hokkaido University. Aphaenogaster smythiesi japonica and Myrmica ruginodis seemed most territorial, since their nests were most dispersed and they were in negative association with some species. Lasius niger was negatively associated with some ants but their nests were a little more aggregated than those of the former two species, because they often formed polydomous colonies. Nests of Myrmecina graminicola nipponica were remarkably aggregated partly due to inhabiting microhabitats which were patchily distributed in the woods surveyed. Tiny ants Leptothorax sp. and Pheidole fervida showed nearly random or slightly aggregated distribution of con specific nests and the nil association with other species.