入侵的花园蚂蚁,Lasiusneglectus,是优势物种,因为它有能力形成大型超殖民地。该物种被认为具有广泛的热生态位,因为它能够适应寒冷的气候,这是推动其从南部向许多中欧北欧国家迅速扩张的一个因素。然而,尚未研究环境温度变化对其与其他物种的竞争能力的影响。在本文中,我们分析了Lasiusneglectus在四个不同温度(15、20、25和30°C)下与两种地中海优势蚂蚁(Crematogasterscutellaris和Tapinomanigerrimum)相遇时的生存能力变化。首先,进行了对照测试,以提供三种物种在不同温度下的基线生存能力。其次,比赛测试是在相同的温度下进行的。在对照测试中,Lasiusneglectus的存活率受到高温(30°C)的负面影响,这种损害在竞争测试中更为明显。相反,在控制测试中,这两个对手物种仅受到温度的轻微影响。scutellarisCrematogasterscutelaris是一个更好的竞争对手,特别是在高温下。NigerrimumTapinoma是一个较弱的竞争对手,总是被L.neglectus击败,特别是在低温下。此结果可能表明,当温度较高时,在种间相遇期间,忽略L.neglectus处于不利地位,并且预测的未来环境温度升高可能会加剧这种障碍。
The invasive garden ant, Lasius neglectus, is a dominant species due to its capacity to form large supercolonies. This species was assumed to possess a wide thermal niche since it is able to adapt to cold climates, which is a factor that boosted its rapid expansion from south to many central-northern European Countries. However, the effect of variations in environmental temperatures on its competitive ability against other species has still not been investigated. In this paper, we analyzed the change in survival ability of Lasius neglectus during encounters with two Mediterranean dominant ants (Crematogaster scutellaris and Tapinoma nigerrimum) at four different temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30°C). Firstly, control tests were performed to provide the baseline survival ability of the three species at different temperatures. Secondly, competition tests were carried out at the same temperatures. Lasius neglectus survival was negatively affected by high temperature (30°C) in control tests, and this impairment was much more pronounced in competition tests. On the contrary, the two opponent species were only marginally affected by temperatures in control tests. Crematogaster scutellaris was a better competitor than L. neglectus, particularly at high temperatures. Tapinoma nigerrimum was a weaker competitor and was always outcompeted by L. neglectus, particularly at low temperatures. This result could suggest that L. neglectus is at a disadvantage during interspecific encounters when temperatures are high and that the predicted future increase in environmental temperatures may potentially enhance this handicap.