Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


thompson final.pdf (908.27 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

How Can Allegheny Mound Ants (Formica Exsectoides) Provide An Optimal Environment For Karner Blue Butterflies (Lycaeides Melissa Samuelis)?

Thompson, Preston Marshall
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1559656362313313

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Understanding how the result of the mutualistic interaction between the Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides Melissa samuelis) (KBB) and the Allegheny mound ant (Formica esectoides) changes with temperature and how Allegheny mound ants modify potential KBB habitat is crucial to the persistence of the federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. A change in conservation techniques and an emphasis on new conservation plans will occur if there are advantages to maintaining a mutualistic relationship between these species. This research examined how the mutualistic interaction between KBB and the Allegheny mound ant buffers the negative effects of climatic changes by manipulating temperature and Allegheny ant presence. In an experimental study, I manipulated temperature and ant presence via infrared heating lamps and a connective tubing system to an ant mound on KBB larvae. I found that larvae distance from lupine soil decreases with increasing temperature and decreases with ant presence. KBB mortality, days to pupation, and days in the pupal stage did not change with changes in temperature and ant presence. I also examined how Allegheny ant mounds in the Oak Openings region influenced abundance of invertebrates found near ant mounds and the community structure of the surrounding vegetation. I found a significant interaction between distance from ant mounds and spider abundance: the highest concentration of spiders was found the farthest sampling locations away from ant mounds. The abundance of other ground-dwelling invertebrates found near Allegheny ant mounds did not change with varying distance. Vegetation density and vegetation ground cover did not change with varying distance from ant mounds. The application of this research proposes the mutualistic interaction between KBB and Allegheny mound ants—which provide reduction in predation as well as improved use of microclimate—to be implemented as a conservation tool, in hopes bolster KBB populations.
Shannon Pelini, Dr. (Advisor)
Karen Root, Dr. (Committee Member)
Ryan Walsh, Dr. (Committee Member)
45 p.
Biology; Conservation; Ecology
Karner Blue Butterfly; Allegheny Mound Ants; Conservation; Ecology; Biology; Oak Openings; Toledo Zoo; Mutalisms; Climate Change

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Thompson, P. M. (2019). How Can Allegheny Mound Ants (Formica Exsectoides) Provide An Optimal Environment For Karner Blue Butterflies (Lycaeides Melissa Samuelis)? [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1559656362313313

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Thompson, Preston. How Can Allegheny Mound Ants (Formica Exsectoides) Provide An Optimal Environment For Karner Blue Butterflies (Lycaeides Melissa Samuelis)? 2019. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1559656362313313.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Thompson, Preston. "How Can Allegheny Mound Ants (Formica Exsectoides) Provide An Optimal Environment For Karner Blue Butterflies (Lycaeides Melissa Samuelis)?" Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1559656362313313

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1559656362313313
519
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.