Association Between Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Habitat Characteristics in Oak-Dominated Mixed Forests

The relationship between ants and their habitats was examined in oak-dominated mixed forests in the central Appalachian mountains. Ants were sampled using pitfall traps over the summers of 1995, 1996, and 1997. Principal component and correlation analysis indicated that ant diversity (Shannon’s H′),...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental entomology 2001-10, Vol.30 (5), p.842-848
Main Authors: Wang, Changlu, Strazanac, John S, Butler, Linda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
ants
Biological and medical sciences
COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
forest
Formicidae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
habitat
Quercus
Synecology
Terrestrial ecosystems
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Summary:The relationship between ants and their habitats was examined in oak-dominated mixed forests in the central Appalachian mountains. Ants were sampled using pitfall traps over the summers of 1995, 1996, and 1997. Principal component and correlation analysis indicated that ant diversity (Shannon’s H′), species richness, and abundance were closely correlated with habitat principal components. Fewer ants, lower number of species, and lower ant diversity were found at sites with higher elevation and soil moisture. Diversity (H′) of ants and species richness decreased by 0.1 (R2 = 0.75) and 2.2 (R2 = 0.57) when the elevation increased 100 m, respectively. As the elevation increased, there were relatively less Formica neogagates Emery and more Aphaenogaster rudis (Emery). More ant species and individuals were found on ridges than in valleys.
ISSN:0046-225X
1938-2936
DOI:10.1603/0046-225X-30.5.842