Abstract
The relationships between an urban ecosystem located near the Atlantic Rainforest in southeastern Brazil and ant communities were studied with the objective of quantifying the ant richness and abundance in the household environment and its surroundings. Eighty residences were sampled, where 58 species and 28 genera pertaining to 7 sub-families were found to be present. Inside the residences, the species richness was found to be lower (26), although the abundance was greater (10,670), with the wash area and kitchen being the locales that contributed with the greatest number of hits. The opposite was true in the areas outside the residences, where 54 species and 3,747 ants were observed. Inside houses, the species known as Tramp ants were found, in the following order of importance: Solenopsis saevissima, Tapinoma melanocephalum, Linepithema humile, Paratrechina fulva, Wasmannia auropunctata, P. longicornis, Pheidole megacephala, Monomorium pharaonis and M. floricola. Externally, mainly in the yards and gardens, species such as Octostruma rugifera, Heteroponera dolo, Hypoponera sp.1 and sp.6, Gnamptogenys sp. 4, G. striatula, Odontomachus meinerti, Pachycondyla constricta and P. striata were found. In general, a greater number of species and lower abundance of individuals were observed in the neighborhoods nearer the mountains than in those closer to the urban center.
Highlights
Urban ecosystems are generally recognized as being areas undergoing profound and constant local human activity, composed of high-density human habitation, industrial and commercial centers (McIntyre et al, 2001)
Yamaguchi (2004, 2005), studying the influence of urbanization on ant distribution in parks, suggested that these insects would become the bio-indicators of variation in urban environments
In Brazil, the process of urbanization is occurring at an accelerated pace, and often advancing on areas that are considered to be priorities for conservation
Summary
Urban ecosystems are generally recognized as being areas undergoing profound and constant local human activity, composed of high-density human habitation, industrial and commercial centers (McIntyre et al, 2001). The environmental modifications that occur during the process of urbanization can affect the distribution of organisms in diverse ways In this environment, many species achieve high densities, and assume dominant positions due to the existence of unoccupied niches, absence of competitors, and few natural enemies (Luck and Dahsten, 1974); or the intentional and unintentional introduction of exotic species can cause the dislocation of native species (Suarez et al, 1998; Crooks and Soulé, 1999). In Brazil, the process of urbanization is occurring at an accelerated pace, and often advancing on areas that are considered to be priorities for conservation This is the case of the city of Mogi das Cruzes, located in southeastern Brazil, where the urban network is centered around the ciliary plants of the Tietê River, and is expanding in the direction of the Itapety and Serra do Mar mountains, which belong to the Atlantic Rainforest biome. The present study seeks to quantify the richness and abundance of ants in the household environment and its surroundings, with the objective of determining the communities that occur in an urban ecosystem characterized by its proximity to the Atlantic Rainforest, to compare this ecosystem with other urban areas
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
