| Title: | Substrate choice in antlion larvae : the combined effect of particle size and moisture |
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| Authors: | ID Klokočovnik, Vesna (Author)
ID Bantan, Tadeja (Author)
ID Devetak, Dušan (Author) |
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| Files: |  RAZ_Klokocovnik_Vesna_2025.pdf (1,01 MB)
MD5: 35C09C452B3E18ADC0C17E20E611E0A1
 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-025-09882-1
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Scientific work |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | FNM - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
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| Abstract: | The choice of substrate in sedentary pred ators is influenced by abiotic factors that impact for aging efficiency and survival. We examined the com bined effects of substrate particle size and moisture on microhabitat selection and pit-building behaviour in two antlion species: Myrmeleon formicarius and Euroleon nostras. Both species strongly preferred medium particle sizes (G2, 230–540 μm). When the preferred substrate was moistened, the larvae of both species switched to one that was coarser, but dry (G3, 540–1000 μm), prioritizing dry conditions over opti mal particle size. However, when we moistened both G2 and G3, the larvae displayed flexibility in their behavioural responses. While E. nostras primarily moved to the finer substrate (G1, 110–230 μm), M. formicarius was evenly distributed between dry G1 and G3, which had residual moisture. The prefer ence shown by M. formicarius could be attributed to its broader tolerance for precipitation since it inhab its exposed environments with larger particle sizes compared to E. nostras. Pit diameter generally corre lated with substrate granulation, but we did observe differences between the species. E. nostras con structed larger pits in the preferred substrate despite having a smaller body size. In contrast, M. formicar ius built larger pits in coarser substrate. This suggests that pit-building strategies appear to be influenced by multiple factors, including substrate, larval morphol ogy, and behavioural plasticity. G4 (>1540 μm) was unsuitable for both species. These findings highlight the interactive effects of particle size and moisture on habitat choice and demonstrate how microhabitat constraints influence the behaviour and life strategies of trap-building predators. |
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| Keywords: | Antlion larvae, moisture, Granulation, habitat choice, pit size |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 26.03.2025 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 07.07.2025 |
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| Publication date: | 14.07.2025 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2025 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-9 |
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| Numbering: | Letn. 38, št. članka 18 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-94626  |
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| UDC: | 595.74 |
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| ISSN on article: | 0892-7553 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 244637955 |
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| DOI: | 10.1007/s10905-025-09882-1 |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 25.08.2025 |
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| Views: | 170 |
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| Downloads: | 6 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | Misc.
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