Ants of mole burrows in the forest zone of Western Siberia

Study Extent

37.530 cylinder-days

Sampling

We used plastic jars (2.5 l volume) for the traps to install in mole burrows. This method (37.530 cylinder-days worked) greatly facilitated the work of collecting burrowing fauna. This allowed us to get an idea of the zoocenosis of molehills, to find out the meaning of the mole as a member of the biocenosis. In a long-term study without daily inspection of traps, a fixing liquid (4% formalin) was used, animals in such a liquid quickly died and were well preserved. During the inspection, the lid was opened and the cylinder was removed, and then re-installed in its original place. Cones made of galvanized iron with a height of 45-50 cm and an upper diameter of 15-20 cm, without the use of guide grooves or fences, were installed at a distance of 5-10 m (656 cones - days of operation).

Method steps

1. Installation of hunting cylinders on the bottom of mole passages was carried out in the ground at a depth of 5-7 cm.
2. In the lower part of the course cut a hole, dug a hole in it and inserted the cylinder so that its edges were at the level of the bottom of the course.
3. After leveling the ground around the cylinder, the hole was covered with a lid, so that the curved ends of the lid cut into the ground to a depth of 3-4 cm. This exluded the possibility of ground fauna entering the cylinder.

1. Camponotus
   rank: genus
2. Formica
   rank: genus
3. Lasius
   rank: genus
4. Myrmica
   rank: genus

The area covered the forest zone of Western Siberia in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug and the Tyumen region.