Main Article Content

Published:
Dec 19, 2019
Keywords:
myrmecofauna
arboreal ants
epigeic ants
similarity
richness

Abstract

Spatial distribution of arthropods in forests has crucial implications for biodiversity conservation and forest management. In this environment, ants represent a good model for studies on vertical stratification of fauna. They are abundantly found in soil and well distributed in all vegetation strata. Factors determining the diversity and distribution of ant communities have deserved attention for years due to the essential role of these insects in many ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, energy turnover, herbivory, seed dispersal and seed predation. The aim of this study was to compare the richness and structure of ant assemblages among vertical strata (soil, shrubs and trees) in two phytophysiognomies of the Brazilian Savanna. The capture of ground-dwelling ants and arboreal ants was carried out with traps containing attractive baits. Sixty-six ant species were identified, and in both phytophysiognomies. Soil (litter) showed higher richness of ant species when compared to the others (Jackkinife 1). There was a distinction between soil and canopy (shrubs/trees) strata, shown in the composition and capture frequency of ant species (ANOSIM, P = 0.001), therefore, evidencing the vertical stratification of the ant assemblage.

Camila Alves Rodrigues
Márcio Silva Araújo
Ednaldo Cândido Rocha
Denise Alves Silva
Nilza Maria Martinelli
Jacques Hubert Charles Delabie
Author Biography

Jacques Hubert Charles Delabie, Cocoa Research Center (CEPEC-CEPLAC), Itabuna, 45600-000, Brazil.

State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, 45662-900, Brazil.

How to Cite
Alves Rodrigues, C., Silva Araújo, M., Rocha, E. C., Alves Silva, D., Martinelli, N. M., & Delabie, J. H. C. (2019). Vertical stratification of ant assemblage in Brazilian Savanna phytophysiognomies. Revista Bosque, 40(3), 379–385. Retrieved from https://revistabosque.org/index.php/bosque/article/view/285

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.