Gastropod Guests (Prosobranchia: Pupinidae, and Pulmonata: Subulinidae) Associated with the Ponerine Ant Diacamma sculpturatum Complex (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

摘要

In Northern Vietnam one pupinid and three subulinid species (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia and Pulmonata) were found from nests of a large-bodied ponerine ant belonging to the Diacamma sculpturatum complex. The gastropods probably scavenge on animal matter in garbage dumps. The result of an introduction experiment suggests a possibility that gastropods possess a special mechanism which facilitates Diacamma workers in carrying them. The mechanism may ensure the safe spread of gastropods through fission ofhost colony.