Ecological and Taxonomical Studies of Social Insects in Australia (second project)

本研究项目旨在通过生态学和分类学调查相结合的方法，阐明澳大利亚社会昆虫（黄蜂、蚂蚁、白蚁）和亚社会蟑螂的性质。该研究于1989-1990年进行，延续了第一个项目（1986-1988）。在新南威尔士州卷心菜树溪的一座桥下，观察了一个巨大的巢群内的小蜂雌蜂的社会行为。每个梳子都由一组特定的雌性保卫，并且雌性在梳子之间的漂移并不频繁。研究雌鸟的巢存活率和繁殖率。对桃金娘属植物进行了核学和分类学调查。发现该组的物种在核化学上高度分化。显著但微妙的形态差异也被观察到。现在很清楚，桃金娘属复合体包括至少5个独立的、相似的物种。对8种喜白蚁进行了研究，重点探讨了蚁群对蚁丘的巢址依赖性与蚁群对肉蚁的防御率之间的关系。许多与防御型蚂蚁同居的白蚁群落生命力旺盛，表明这种蚁群关系是相互依存的。对昆士兰东北部热带雨林白蚁群落进行了研究。澳大利亚热带雨林的物种组成、种群密度、摄食习性和生活型组成与非洲、东南亚和美洲的热带雨林明显不同。对以腐木为食的亚社会性蜚蠊进行了调查，重点考察了其家族关联、若虫生长和种群密度。生活在地下的大角犀在春天形成家庭群体。成年雌性与后代的亲密关系可能会持续一年。

This research project aims to clarify the nature of social insects (wasps, ants, termites) and subsocial cockroach in Australia by combining ecological and taxonomical survey. The research was carried out in 1989-1990 continued the first project (1986-1988).1. Social behavior of Ropalidia Plebeiana female within a huge nest aggregation was observed under a bridge in Cabbage Tree Creek of New South wales. Each comb was defended by a group of particular females, and intercomb drift of females was not frequent. Nest survival rates and reproductive rates of females were studied.2. Karyological and taxonomical survey of the Myrmecia (Pilosula) group were carried out. Species of the group were found to be karyologically highly differentiated. Significant but subtle morphological divergence has also been observed. It is now clear that the Myrmecia (pilosula) complex includes at least 5 separate, similar species.3. Eight termitophilous ant specied were studied with special reference to the relationship between their nest-site dependence to the termite mounds and their termitariadefence rate against meat ant Irydomyrmex. Many termite colonies cohabiting with the ants of defensive type were vigorous, suggesting that this ant-termite relationship is mutualistic.4. Termite community in the tropical rain forest northeastern Queensland was studied. It is clear that species composition, population density, feeding habits and life type composition in Australian rain forests were quite different from those in the tropical rain forest of Africa, Southeast Asia and America.5. Subsocial cockroaches which feed on rotten wood were investigated with special reference to the familial association, growth of nymphs and population density. Macropanesthia rhinoceros living un underground makes the family groups in spring time. The intimate adult female-offspring relationship may continue for a year.