Ecological and Taxonomical Studies of Social Insects in Australia

本研究项目旨在通过生态学和分类学调查相结合的方法，澄清澳大利亚社会昆虫(黄蜂、蚂蚁、白蚁和亚社会蟑螂)的性质。这项研究于1986-1987年在澳大利亚东部进行。在新南威尔士州卷心菜树溪的一座桥下，观察到圆顶刺参雌性在一个巨大的巢群中的社会行为。每个梳子都由一群特定的雌性保卫，雌性的冠间漂移并不频繁。研究了雌鸟的巢存活率和繁殖率。巨大的鸟巢聚集可能对该物种有利，因为它能够实现高繁殖率。对桃金娘属(Pilosula)进行了核型和分类学调查。该群中的物种被发现在核学上高度分化。还观察到了显著但微妙的形态差异。现在清楚的是，M.(Pilosula)复合体至少包括5个独立的、相似的物种。对8种嗜白蚁进行了研究，重点研究了它们对白蚁土丘的巢位依赖性与它们对肉蚁的白蚁防御率之间的关系。与防御型蚂蚁共生的许多白蚁群体活力旺盛，表明这种蚂蚁与白蚁的关系是互惠互利的。对昆士兰东北部热带雨林白蚁群落进行了调查。很明显，澳大利亚的动物区系、密度、食性和生活型组成与非洲、亚洲和美洲的热带雨林有很大的不同。对以腐木或落叶为食的亚社会蟑螂进行了调查，特别是对家系联系、若虫生长和种群密度进行了调查。野外证据表明，大斑潜蝇在春季组成家庭群体，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 (wasp, ant, termite and subsocial cockroach) in Australia by combining ecological and taxonomic survey. The research was carried out in 1986-1987 in eastern part of Australia.1. Social behaviour of Ropalidia plebeiana females 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. The huge aggregations of nests are probably benefical for this species by enabling the realization of high reproductive rates.2. Karyological and taxonomic 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 M.(pilosula) complex includes at least 5 separate, similar species.3. Eight termitophilous ant species were studied with special reference to the relationship between their nest-site dependence to the termite mounds and their termitaria-defence rate against meat ant. 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 of northeastren Queensland was surveyed. It is clear that fauna, density, feeding habits and life type composition in Australia were quite different from those in the tropical rain forest of Africa, Asia and America.5. Subsocial cockroaches which feed on rotten wood or leaf litter were investigated with special reference to familial association, growth of nymphs and population density. The field evidence shows Macropanesthia make the family groups in spring and the intimate adult female-offspring relationships may continue for a year.