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The myrmecophilous beetle Monotoma conicicollis Chevrolat, 1837 (Cucujoidea: Monotomidae) is recorded for the first time in the Apennines in a nest of Formica paralugubris Seifert, 1996 (Formicidae). Since nests of this ant species were translocated from Alps in the past, two possible scenarios about the occurrence of this beetle are discussed: a simple overlooking of M. conicicollis, already occurring (in association with other Formica spp.) in the Apennines prior the introduction of F. paralugubris, or its introduction together with the ant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the second half of the twentieth century, many red wood ant populations were transferred from the Alps to the Apennines as biological control agents. Since the introduction involved the relocation of entire nest mounds, it is presumable that the associated fauna was also relocated. While the introduction of these ants has raised several concerns about their ecological impact, there has been no attempt to investigate the introduction of other nest-associated species. In this study, we collected samples of soil and nest material from three populations of the red wood ant Formica paralugubris , one Alpine native and two imported into the Apennines. We aimed to confirm that nest mounds are hotspots for soil fauna, detect the occurrence of new myrmecophilous species, and compare the nest-associated fauna among sites, to test the hypothesis of mass species relocation. We focused our analyses mainly on two taxa, springtails and oribatid mites, two highly representative groups of the mesofauna inhabiting nest mounds. The results showed higher richness and diversity in nests than soil for oribatids but not for springtails. We found 17 myrmecophilous oribatid species, but only two springtail species. Finally, native and imported sites shared only a few oribatid and springtail species, suggesting that massive relocation did not occur with nest transplants or it was likely limited. Additionally, we found some species never before collected in Italy. • We compared mesofauna between native and introduced nests of Formica paralugubris. • Communities differed among sites, with nest fauna more similar than soil fauna. • Oribatid mite diversity was higher in nests than soils, unlike springtails. • Several oribatid species and a few springtails were associated with nest habitats. • We did not find clear evidence of multiple mesofauna relocations during transplants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]