Research
Research
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Urban Ecology (as Principal Investigator)
Urban Ecology (as Principal Investigator)
Biodiversity of arthropods in urban areas and bioindication
Biodiversity of arthropods in urban areas and bioindication
Urbanization drastically reshapes ecosystems, altering landscapes at both micro- and macrohabitat scales. Our research investigates how these changes affect arthropod communities, with particular emphasis on ants as bioindicator organisms. By analyzing their responses to urban environments, I aim to assess the conservation status of urban green spaces and identify strategies to enhance their function as refuges for native biodiversity, while preserving their essential recreational value for citizens.
In addition, our work explores the role of urban areas in the introduction and spread of exotic and invasive ant species. By disentangling the underlying mechanisms that facilitate invasions and multi-invasion scenarios, my studies contribute to a deeper understanding of biological invasions in urban ecosystems.
Influence of "urban heat islands" on the seasonal and daily activity of common ant species
Influence of "urban heat islands" on the seasonal and daily activity of common ant species
Urban heat island is one of the least studied abiotic factors of urban ecosystems. Our studies are aimed to uncover the impact of this urban stressor in arhropods communities for conservation purposes. So far, these studies investigate how urban temperatures affect ant populations across multiple biological levels. We are pioneers in examining the effects of night-time warming and artificial light at night on urban ant communities and how it affects their phenology and daily foraging activity. Our research also shows that elevated urban temperatures have a dual effect: they accelerate the development of new workers – facilitating the growth of synanthropic ant species – while simultaneously increasing forager mortality due to heat stress. In addition, we were among the first to demonstrate that urban environmental pressures significantly alter ant locomotory traits.
Urban heat island is one of the least studied abiotic factors of urban ecosystems. Our studies are aimed to uncover the impact of this urban stressor in arhropods communities for conservation purposes. So far, these studies investigate how urban temperatures affect ant populations across multiple biological levels. We are pioneers in examining the effects of night-time warming and artificial light at night on urban ant communities and how it affects their phenology and daily foraging activity. Our research also shows that elevated urban temperatures have a dual effect: they accelerate the development of new workers – facilitating the growth of synanthropic ant species – while simultaneously increasing forager mortality due to heat stress. In addition, we were among the first to demonstrate that urban environmental pressures significantly alter ant locomotory traits.
These studies have been funded by projects funded by the National Science Centre (Miniatura 3, grant no. 2019/03/X/NZ8/0177; PI: G. Trigos-Peral ) and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA, grant no. PPN/BDE/2020/1/00016; Co-PI: G. Trigos-Peral) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD, 57559391, Co-PI: Juergen Heinze).
These studies have been funded by projects funded by the National Science Centre (Miniatura 3, grant no. 2019/03/X/NZ8/0177; PI: G. Trigos-Peral ) and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA, grant no. PPN/BDE/2020/1/00016; Co-PI: G. Trigos-Peral) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD, 57559391, Co-PI: Juergen Heinze).
Impact of urban nutritional constraints and adaptations to heat stress
Impact of urban nutritional constraints and adaptations to heat stress
Urban environments also drive changes in the availability of nutritional resources for many animal groups, including pollinators. Despite ants’ crucial role as ecosystem engineers, the effects of urbanization on their nutritional ecology remain largely unexplored. Our research is pioneering in examining how urban-driven nutritional shifts shape ant communities and influence ants’ physiological traits related to thermal resistance, providing novel insights into the mechanisms linking urbanization, nutrition, and ant ecology.
Urban environments also drive changes in the availability of nutritional resources for many animal groups, including pollinators. Despite ants’ crucial role as ecosystem engineers, the effects of urbanization on their nutritional ecology remain largely unexplored. Our research is pioneering in examining how urban-driven nutritional shifts shape ant communities and influence ants’ physiological traits related to thermal resistance, providing novel insights into the mechanisms linking urbanization, nutrition, and ant ecology.
Ecology of Red Wood Ants
Ecology of Red Wood Ants
Red wood ants are keystone species in forest ecosystems, playing a crucial role in ecosystem functioning. However, habitat loss and climate change have placed many red wood ant species at risk. Our research investigates multiple aspects of the ecology of red wood ants and their interactions with other arthropod communities.
We examine how environmental factors influence the presence, size, and distribution of their nests, as well as how red wood ants shape forest ant community structure. In addition, we assess their role in natural pest control, particularly their impact on pest beetle species such as Ips spp. Our work also explores unusual and understudied ecological scenarios, including the use of abandoned sovietic bunker in Poland as winter refuge by red wood ants, where a colony remains active and sustain themselves through cannibalism of nestmate corpses.
Behavioural ecology of ants
Behavioural ecology of ants
We investigate the mechanisms and consequences of ant behaviour. Our work explores multiple dimensions of behaviour, including behavioural traits, individual personality, and task syndromes within colonies.
We aim to uncover the underlying processes shaping ant behaviour, such as ageing, environmental conditions, and biological invasions. In addition, we examine how behavioural traits at both the individual and colony levels influence colony performance and success across diverse environmental contexts. These studies have been funded by by the Gwiazda 2015 - grant awarded by the Polish Academy of Sciences, G. Trigos-Peral (PI) - and the Polish National Science Centre (NCN) - UMO- 2015/17/B/NZ8/02492, PI M. Witek (PI).
Other studies
Other studies
I am broadly interested in ecological research on arthropods, with a primary - though not exclusive - focus on conservation. To date, my work has encompassed a wide range of topics, including entomoparasites, genetics, interspecific interactions with other animal groups, vibroacoustics, and fungal infections.
I am highly open to expanding into new areas of ecology, particularly applied fields such as agroecology. If you are interested in collaboration, please feel free to get in touch!
Collaborations
Collaborations
2025 - to date – MonitAnt: Developing a European-level Monitoring strategy for mound-building Formica Ants and symbiont communities residing in nest mounds. Project nr - 2022/47/P/NZ8/01208, Biodiversa +, Research Grant funded by the Biodiversa + (European Biodiversity Partnership). PI – H. Feldhaar, Collaborator – G. Trigos-Peral. Contribution: Field work in Warsaw, data curation, participation in workshop, leader of the study focused on red wood ants and bark beetles relationship. Link
2025 - to date. AntHunters. Citizen science project in collaboration with Estación Biológica de Doñana – CSIC and Asociación Ibérica de Mirmecología – AIM. PI – Daniel Sánchez García. Collaborator – G. Trigos-Peral. Contribution: species identification. Link
2024-2025 – POLLINATORS et al.: POLLINATOR StreETs as vitAL connections to maintain functional urban areas. Project nr - 2022/47/P/NZ8/01208, POLONEZ BIS 3, Research Grant funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN). PI – I. Piccini, Collaborator – G. Trigos-Peral. Contribution: Responsible of the field work performed in Warsaw, supervision of the creation of taxonomical collection, team coordination, field work, data curation, students' supervision, co-supervision of Master thesis of P. Pirahmadi. Link
2023-2024 – Who is pulling the strings? The importance of nutrition in a host-parasite system. Project nr - UMO-2022/45/P/NZ8/04018, POLONEZ BIS 2, Research Grant funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN). PI – E. Csata, Collaborator – G. Trigos-Peral. Contribution: field work, species identification, behavioural tests, colonies maintenance, survival studies, drafting of manuscripts, participation in congresses.
2022 - Bacteria – ant – plant interaction: the effect of ants as bacteria dispersal vectors and indirect drivers of plant health. Project nr - 2021/41/N/NZ8/04360, Research Grant funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN). PI – Daniel Sánchez García. Collaborator – G. Trigos-Peral. Contribution: field work, species identification.
2021 - From monarchy to polyarchy – genomic causes and consequences of a shift in social organization. Project carried out in cooperation with the Academy of Finland. Performers: Lumi Viljakainen. Project no. 343022. Contribution- Collection of ant colonies in Poland.
2020 - Kolonizacja gniazd ptaków przez mrówki: mutualizm, komensalizm czy przypadek?. Project nr - 2017/26/D/NZ8/01063, Research Grant funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN). PI – Marta Maziarz. Contribution: field work, ant species identification, editing first and reviewed versions of the manuscript.
2018-2019 – VIBRANT - Evolution of VIBRoacoustic communication in ANTs. Project nr - 2016/23/P/NZ8/04254, POLONEZ 3, Research Grant funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN). PI – L.P. Casacci, Collaborator – G. Trigos-Peral. Contribution: field work, species identification, behavioural tests, colonies maintenance, dissection of stridulatory organs, vibroacoustic recordings, data curation.
2018-2019 – The Global Ant Genomics Alliance (GAGA). International collaboration of scientists from different fields and institutions from all over the world. Performers: Zhang G., Boomsma J., Sanders N., Schulz T., Brady S., Wcislo W., Moreau C., Ward P., Heinze J., Sundström L., Gadau J., Dunn R., Keller L. Collaboration: Collection of ant colonies in Poland.
2016-2019 – Personality in ants and factors influencing its development. Project nr - UMO- 2015/17/B/NZ8/02492, Research Grant funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN). PI – M. Witek, Collaborator – G. Trigos-Peral. Contribution: field work, species identification, behavioural tests, colonies maintenance, drafting of manuscripts, participation in congresses.
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