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Biology of myrmecophilous beetles
Bažilová, Jana ; Šobotník, Jan (advisor) ; Klimeš, Petr (referee)
Ants represent an insect group with a great ecological importance, and they are also a valuable source of food for a wide range of predators, parasitoids and social parasites. Myrmecophilous beetles make a significant part of these organisms. According to the specific selection pressures, myrmecophiles reveal a lot of adaptations, such as modifications of the body shape, functions of their extremities and new exocrine glands. These adaptations vary among species differing by the degree of their integration into an ant colony. Non-integrated species live near ant nests as predators and the hosts' behaviour towards them is always hostile. They are protected by thick and sclerotized cuticle, defensive substances and strategic behaviour. Integrated species are adopted by the host colony based on the imitation of hosts' recognition factors. These species have access to the hosts' nests, where they feed on ant larvae and pupae or they are fed directly by the ants. This thesis describes specific adaptations for life associated with ants, which are exploited by various myrmecophilous species. In several chapters it characterizes myrmecophilous organisms, their morphological adaptations, chemical mimicry and behavioural strategies used during interactions with the host. Keywords: myrmecophily, inkvilinism,...
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