Preliminary results for 2025
Monitoring MBF species in Romania
During 2025 we added several new locations to the distribution of mound building Formica species, namely Formica polyctena, F. pratensis, and F. rufa (see the below map). No new locations have been discovered though for F. truncorum or for F. exsecta. The country has been widely searched, almost no region left unchecked. Let’s hope: next year! Many samples have been collected for different analyses: genetic, cuticular hydrocarbons, nest material, and, finally, for the analysis of the mycobiota.
New data to the distribution of MBF species collected during 2024 and 2025.
First results on the analysis of the mycobiota
Altogether 77 fungal morphotypes were identified until now on more than 100 individuals belonging to Formica pratensis and F. polyctena collected from various places in Transylvania, Romania. And many more individuals are waiting to be analyzed. The protocol developed and tested last year, works quite nicely. The results of molecular analysis (ITS) will help us reveal the real diversity of mycobiota of MBF species not just in Romania, but also in other parts of Europe.
Microscopic images of different fungal organisms developed from the cuticle of ant workers (photo: Ágota Szabó).
Hidden relationships: what camera traps reveal
The camera traps set out to MBF mounds in Harghita County started delivering the first interesting results: a huge diversity of vertebrate species was identified interacting with the Formica polyctena mounds. Of course many of them were juts passer-byes (amongst them such rarities as lynx – Lynx lynx), but some should real interest: several bears (Ursus arctos) were digging up mounds for food, as well as birds as woodpeckers (Dryocopus martius, Picus viridis), and, to our surprise, even badgers (Meles meles). Jays (Garrulus glandarius) were showing typical ‘anting’ behaviour, ‘engaging’ with ants in hygienic services. Altogether the high number of species recorded at ant mounds really shows that these act like hubs attracting animals for various reasons.
Mammals and birds at MBF mounds show various types of interest in these formations (photo: László Gál).
Ants and 'friends' 