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Dynamics of herbaceous layer structure around the nests of Formica aquilonia Yarr. at initial stages of their formation

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Abstract

The time course of changes in characteristics of herbaceous vegetation around Formica aquilonia Yarr. ant nests formed from artificially relocated fragments of original families was studied over 6 years. At the initial stage of nest formation, species richness and diversity of the herbaceous layer decreased, and its taxonomic, spatial, phytocenotic, and ecological structure changed. Trivialization of vegetation around anthills was observed. The proportion of zoochorous and anemophilous plants with narrow or strongly dissected leaves increased in the developing myrmecotopic assemblages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia

    N. M. Bugrova

  2. Novosibirsk State University, ul. Pirogova 2, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia

    L. B. Pshenitsyna

Authors
  1. N. M. Bugrova
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  2. L. B. Pshenitsyna
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Correspondence to N. M. Bugrova.

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Original Russian Text © N.M. Bugrova, L.B. Pshenitsyna, 2009, published in Ekologiya, 2009, No. 4, pp. 291–296.

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Bugrova, N.M., Pshenitsyna, L.B. Dynamics of herbaceous layer structure around the nests of Formica aquilonia Yarr. at initial stages of their formation. Russ J Ecol 40, 274–279 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1067413609040080

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