Papers by Wouter Dekoninck
Belgian Journal of …, Jan 1, 2007
A list of ant species collected in eight calcareous grasslands in the Viroin valley (Viroinval, B... more A list of ant species collected in eight calcareous grasslands in the Viroin valley (Viroinval, Belgium) is presented. Thirty species were identified, including Temnothorax albipennis, for the first time recorded in Belgium. Ant community composition and chorology of some ant species are discussed. Recommendations on how to use ant community composition and nest densities of several ant species to evaluate management in calcareous grasslands are given. It appears that in locations with encroachment of tall grasses (especially Brachypodium pinnatum) and spontaneous afforestation, due to a complete lack of or to inadequate management, most of the often rare xerophilic ant species are replaced by mesophilic, rather common species.
Biological Conservation, Jan 1, 2010
The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in b... more The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original document and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately. This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues.
Restoration …, Jan 1, 2010
In Western Europe, old abandoned mining sites and quarries are often of high biodiversity and con... more In Western Europe, old abandoned mining sites and quarries are often of high biodiversity and conservation value due to the presence of a number of endangered species. In the southern part of Belgium (Wallonia), many ancient quarries near the river Meuse are rather small and were abandoned from 50 to more than 100 years ago. In 2003, we collected 26 ant species by pitfall trapping in four of these quarries. In addition to common ones, several rare species, usually associated with mesomorphic to xeromorphic grasslands, were found in high numbers. Quarries undergoing forest succession were dominated by eurytopic species and by species typical of wet shadowy places, a fauna far less valuable in terms of nature conservation. Therefore, we suggest a management that halts further forest succession of open mesomorphic and xeromorphic habitat patches in these quarries. To assess and monitor the nature value of the ant fauna of these sites, we propose a so-called habitat preference approach, wherein each species is assigned to one of the following three habitat preference categories: (1) eurytopic, (2) bound to wet shadow-rich habitats, or bound to dry open habitats. The stenotopic species of the last category are all endangered in Belgium and of high conservation value. The proportion of the total number of captured specimens included in the latter habitat preference category group is strongly reduced as scrub and tree encroachment advances. This proportion can therefore be used as a proxy to monitor the effects of management measures that prevent further forest succession.
Belgian …, Jan 1, 2003
During the summer of 2001, we conducted a study on the spatial distribution of ants in coastal gr... more During the summer of 2001, we conducted a study on the spatial distribution of ants in coastal grey dunes (Oostduinkerke, Western Flanders, Belgium). Nest locations of the most abundant ant species were analysed with multivariate techniques. Tetramorium caespitum frequented moss-dominated vegetation, whereas Myrmica sabuleti, M. scabrinodis, Lasius flavus and L. meridionalis preferred grassy vegetations. Formica cunicularia and L. psammophilus occurred in all types of grey dune vegetation. According to recent literature, a positive spatial relationship can exist between the positioning of ant nests and the location of the myrmecochorous plants Viola curtisii, Luzula campestris and Polygala vulgaris in coastal dunes. Neither preliminary investigations, nor our study could confirm this significant positive relationship : the occurrence of myrmecochorous plants seems to be independent of the proximity of nests. It is possible that relationships are masked by a high turnover rate of the nest sites or by a restricted seedling establishment. We did not, however, observe ants transporting seeds of Viola, Luzula or Polygala in the field, possibly indicating the inefficiency of searching for those seeds in areas where population densities of these plants are rather low and other food sources are abundantly available.
European Mosquito …, Jan 1, 2011
In the beginning of the last century mosquitoes were collected extensively all over Belgium. A gr... more In the beginning of the last century mosquitoes were collected extensively all over Belgium. A great part of this material was however never identified and stored in supplements of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) collection. The Belgian Culicidae collection at the RBINS was subjected to a new investigation in the framework of the MODIRISK project (an inventory of native and invading mosquito species in Belgium in relation to global change and modelling 2007-2010). The identification and records of all voucher specimens of the collection were evaluated and digitised. One new species for the Belgian fauna was discovered in previously unexplored collection: Culiseta subochrea. None of the currently collected invasive and exotic species were discovered in the collection. Together with many records from other recent inventory projects carried out at the RBINS, a newly established database CULIBEL was generated that included all Belgian mosquito collection records. The present paper demonstrates the importance of extensive voucher specimen collections to basic invertebrate inventory.
ZooKeys
A peer-reviewed open-access journal D. Johan Kotze et al. / ZooKeys 100: 55-148 (2011) 56 abstrac... more A peer-reviewed open-access journal D. Johan Kotze et al. / ZooKeys 100: 55-148 (2011) 56 abstract 'Carabidologists do it all' (Niemelä 1996a) is a phrase with which most European carabidologists are familiar. Indeed, during the last half a century, professional and amateur entomologists have contributed enormously to our understanding of the basic biology of carabid beetles. The success of the field is in no small part due to regular European Carabidologists' Meetings, which started in 1969 in Wijster, the Netherlands, with the 14 th meeting again held in the Netherlands in 2009, celebrating the 40 th anniversary of the first meeting and 50 years of long-term research in the Dwingelderveld. This paper offers a subjective summary of some of the major developments in carabidology since the 1960s. Taxonomy of the family Carabidae is now reasonably established, and the application of modern taxonomic tools has brought up several surprises like elsewhere in the animal kingdom. Progress has been made on the ultimate and proximate factors of seasonality and timing of reproduction, which only exceptionally show non-seasonality. Triggers can be linked to evolutionary events and plausibly explained by the "taxon cycle" theory. Fairly little is still known about certain feeding preferences, including granivory and ants, as well as unique life history strategies, such as ectoparasitism and predation on higher taxa. The study of carabids has been instrumental in developing metapopulation theory (even if it was termed differently). Dispersal is one of the areas intensively studied, and results show an intricate interaction between walking and flying as the major mechanisms. The ecological study of carabids is still hampered by some unresolved questions about sampling and data evaluation. It is recognised that knowledge is uneven, especially concerning larvae and species in tropical areas. By their abundance and wide distribution, carabid beetles can be useful in population studies, bioindication, conservation biology and landscape ecology. Indeed, 40 years of carabidological research have provided so much data and insights, that among insects -and arguably most other terrestrial organisms -carabid beetles are one of the most worthwhile model groups for biological studies.
Benelux Congress of …, Jan 1, 2002
Disruption of library services 07/11-30/11 All library services will move to a new datacenter dur... more Disruption of library services 07/11-30/11 All library services will move to a new datacenter during the month of November. During this move many library services will be disturbed. Read more information on our library homepage. Sorry for any inconveniences.
Bulletin SRBE/KBVE, Jan 1, 2008
European Journal of …, Jan 1, 2010
The number of colonies of red wood ants (Formica rufa group) in the north western part of Belgium... more The number of colonies of red wood ants (Formica rufa group) in the north western part of Belgium has declined by more than half over the past 20 years. In the study area of 20 × 50 km there are currently only 36 colonies of two species of red wood ants (Formica rufa and F. polyctena). Both species form both monodomous and polydomous colonies. Monodomous F. rufa colonies occur in large areas of open woodland dominated by Pinus sylvestris. The other three types of red wood ant (F. rufa polydomous, F. polyctena mono-and polydomous) occur in clearings or along the margins of small areas of deciduous or mixed woodland. The extinction of red wood ants cannot be attributed to a loss of their main habitat. Their decline in abundance, however, appears to be due to the deterioration in their habitat caused by several factors. Shading by overgrowing shrubs and the closure of the tree canopy, nearby intensive agriculture, urbanisation and use of the forest for recreation are the more important factors threatening and ultimately leading to the extinction of colonies. At poor quality sites there are no or very few nests of Serviformica ants, which initially serve as host ants and are necessary for recolonization by red wood ants. Thus, it is unlikely that these sites will be recolonized. To conserve red wood ants and maintain populations there is an urgent need to undertake certain measures, especially in areas outside nature reserves. For this there is a need to create clearings in the woodland, reduce shading due to overgrowing shrubs and closure of the tree canopy, and mitigate the effects of intensive agriculture, urbanisation and recreation. It is important that the effects of these measures should be monitored.
Het Instituut voor Natuur-en Bosonderzoek (INBO) is het Vlaams onderzoeks-en kenniscentrum voor n... more Het Instituut voor Natuur-en Bosonderzoek (INBO) is het Vlaams onderzoeks-en kenniscentrum voor natuur en het duurzame beheer en gebruik ervan. Het INBO verricht onderzoek en levert kennis aan al wie het beleid voorbereidt, uitvoert of erin geïnteresseerd is.
JNCC Report, Jan 1, 2005
In the beginning of 2001 all available data of ants in Flanders (northern part of Belgium) were b... more In the beginning of 2001 all available data of ants in Flanders (northern part of Belgium) were brought together and several inventory works were started. Some general conclusions on the distribution and diversity of the ants of Flanders and their habitat width are discussed and a provisional Red List is presented and its possible use is evaluated. Further we assess for which habitat-types ants could be indicators. In Flanders heathlands have the most stenotopic and threatened ant fauna. We provide a list of species which should be monitored in those sites and can be used to evaluate sites together with red list of other invertebrate groups.
… de la Société Royale Belge d' …, Jan 1, 2002
... Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: Record Details. Record ID, 154190. R... more ... Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: Record Details. Record ID, 154190. Record Type, journalArticle. Author, Dries Bonte [801001096763] - Ghent University Dries.Bonte@UGent. be; Wouter Dekoninck [801001313904] - Ghent University; P GROOTAERT. ...
European journal of …, Jan 1, 2004
We recorded the association between the planthopper Tettigometra laetus Herrich-Schäffer, 1835 (H... more We recorded the association between the planthopper Tettigometra laetus Herrich-Schäffer, 1835 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Tettigometridae) and three ant species belonging to the subfamilies Myrmicinae and Formicinae in a coastal dune area of Flanders (Belgium). Lasius psammophilus Seifert, Tetramorium caespitum L. and Formica cunicularia Latreille were observed attending and palpating the dorsal glandular area of this planthopper, taking honeydew directly from its anus, herding them and carrying them into their nests when disturbed. The planthopper was rarely found in the absence of ants and probably develops within ant nests, which may provide protection against predation and adverse weather conditions. The natural history of temperate anthemipteran relationships is discussed.
Belgian journal of zoology, Jan 1, 2004
During the summer of 2001, we conducted a study on the spatial distribution of ants in coastal gr... more During the summer of 2001, we conducted a study on the spatial distribution of ants in coastal grey dunes (Oostduinkerke, Western Flanders, Belgium). Nest locations of the most abundant ant species were analysed with multivariate techniques. Tetramorium caespitum frequented moss-dominated vegetation, whereas Myrmica sabuleti, M. scabrinodis, Lasius flavus and L. meridionalis preferred grassy vegetations. Formica cunicularia and L. psammophilus occurred in all types of grey dune vegetation. According to recent literature, a positive spatial relationship can exist between the positioning of ant nests and the location of the myrmecochorous plants Viola curtisii, Luzula campestris and Polygala vulgaris in coastal dunes. Neither preliminary investigations, nor our study could confirm this significant positive relationship : the occurrence of myrmecochorous plants seems to be independent of the proximity of nests. It is possible that relationships are masked by a high turnover rate of the nest sites or by a restricted seedling establishment. We did not, however, observe ants transporting seeds of Viola, Luzula or Polygala in the field, possibly indicating the inefficiency of searching for those seeds in areas where population densities of these plants are rather low and other food sources are abundantly available.
Carabid Beetles as …, Jan 1, 2011
A peer-reviewed open-access journal D. Johan Kotze et al. / ZooKeys 100: 55-148 (2011) 56 abstrac... more A peer-reviewed open-access journal D. Johan Kotze et al. / ZooKeys 100: 55-148 (2011) 56 abstract 'Carabidologists do it all' (Niemelä 1996a) is a phrase with which most European carabidologists are familiar. Indeed, during the last half a century, professional and amateur entomologists have contributed enormously to our understanding of the basic biology of carabid beetles. The success of the field is in no small part due to regular European Carabidologists' Meetings, which started in 1969 in Wijster, the Netherlands, with the 14 th meeting again held in the Netherlands in 2009, celebrating the 40 th anniversary of the first meeting and 50 years of long-term research in the Dwingelderveld. This paper offers a subjective summary of some of the major developments in carabidology since the 1960s. Taxonomy of the family Carabidae is now reasonably established, and the application of modern taxonomic tools has brought up several surprises like elsewhere in the animal kingdom. Progress has been made on the ultimate and proximate factors of seasonality and timing of reproduction, which only exceptionally show non-seasonality. Triggers can be linked to evolutionary events and plausibly explained by the "taxon cycle" theory. Fairly little is still known about certain feeding preferences, including granivory and ants, as well as unique life history strategies, such as ectoparasitism and predation on higher taxa. The study of carabids has been instrumental in developing metapopulation theory (even if it was termed differently). Dispersal is one of the areas intensively studied, and results show an intricate interaction between walking and flying as the major mechanisms. The ecological study of carabids is still hampered by some unresolved questions about sampling and data evaluation. It is recognised that knowledge is uneven, especially concerning larvae and species in tropical areas. By their abundance and wide distribution, carabid beetles can be useful in population studies, bioindication, conservation biology and landscape ecology. Indeed, 40 years of carabidological research have provided so much data and insights, that among insects -and arguably most other terrestrial organisms -carabid beetles are one of the most worthwhile model groups for biological studies.
European Journal of Entomology, Jan 1, 2008
Ants are often considered as good indicators of change of management in different habitats. They ... more Ants are often considered as good indicators of change of management in different habitats. They have been used sporadically to evaluate large scale transformations involving reafforestation. In the present study, the ant assemblages at 15 forest sites are compared. The sites differ in history, age and forest management. Our results show that there are clear changes in ant assemblages with developmental stage but even after 25 years not all forest species are present. Natural succession and planting of trees with or without any other management, resulted in only open country species, and some from forest and wet grassland colonizing these new forests. Sometimes gynes of target forest species arrived in new forests from nearby mature forest, but apparently were unable to start a colony. We attribute this findings to the lack of appropriate vegetation structure and litter characteristics, which determines the forest ant fauna, more than the dispersal of ant gynes. Further investigations should enable us to predict if these conditions can be produced by 50-100 or more years of forest succession and adequate management.
African Journal of …, Jan 1, 2008
Termites play a prominent role in the decomposer food web as 'ecosystem engineers'. However, the ... more Termites play a prominent role in the decomposer food web as 'ecosystem engineers'. However, the effect of spatial scales on termite assemblages has, to date, been poorly studied. Here, we evaluate the contribution of two spatial levels [transects (100 m · 2 m) and sections within transects (5 m · 2 m)] on the local termite assemblage of a continuous mixed secondary lowland rainforest in southeast Cameroon. Standardized 100 m · 2 m transects were run in five vegetation types to cover more of the heterogeneity of this forest. The additive partitioning of the species richness of all species, soil-and wood-feeder species was statistically tested with sample-based randomization. The average species richness per transect (61) was the highest ever recorded. The section scale significantly influenced the observed species richness of all groups. This suggests that physical complexity and heterogeneity exist on a small scale within each transect and create a variety of microhabitats for different termites. Still, soil-feeder species were less influenced by this scale than wood-feeder species. Although different vegetation types were sampled, transect scale did not enhance observed termite species diversity. Overall, as a wide variety and high density of microhabitats is inherent to large primary or regenerating forests, conservation programmes should focus on interconnecting large tropical rainforest blocks in Central Africa to maintain biodiversity hot spots of termites and optimal ecosystem functioning. microclimats sont une caractéristique inhérente des grandes forêts, qu'elles soient primaires ou en voie de régénération, les programmes de conservation devraient veiller à connecter entre eux les grands blocs de forêt tropicale d'Afrique centrale pour préserver les hauts lieux de la biodiversité des termites et un fonctionnement optimal des écosystèmes.
European journal of soil biology, Jan 1, 2001
During a year-round pitfall sampling campaign on twelve inland dunes in eastern Flanders, a total... more During a year-round pitfall sampling campaign on twelve inland dunes in eastern Flanders, a total number of thirteen centipede species were caught. The encountered centipede fauna, with Lithobius calcaratus as the most ubiquitous species, was related to that of the Campine region that is also characterized by acid sandy soils. Community analysis on the basis of species composition revealed that the woody stations had a higher species diversity than the more open heath lands and moss dunes. Brachygeophilus truncorum and Cryptops hortensis were most characteristic for the woody stations whereas Lamyctes fulvicornis and Lithobius microps were more common in the open sites. © 2001 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS Belgium / Chilopoda / community analysis / sandy soils / species diversity
European Journal of Entomology, Jan 1, 2007
The myrmecophilous isopod Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii Brandt, 1833 and the myrmecophilous springt... more The myrmecophilous isopod Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii Brandt, 1833 and the myrmecophilous springtail Cyphoderus albinus Nicolet, 1842 are commonly found in nests of a wide range of ant species in Belgium. Here we report the first record of both myrmecophiles in nests of the invasive garden ant Lasius neglectus in the Citadelpark of Ghent, Belgium. Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii was found in two of the Lasius neglectus nests studied. In one of the two C. albinus was also discovered. In the localities where the invasive garden ant Lasius neglectus was introduced, as is also the case in the Citadelpark in Ghent, it out-competes all native ant species. This ant has a dramatic effect on the local native ant fauna. However, some of the myrmecophilous species associated with the native ant-fauna are less threatened as they are accepted by this invasive garden ant.
Entomologische Berichten, Jan 1, 2010
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Papers by Wouter Dekoninck