Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the species composition and functional groups of ants in nonagricultural (NA) and in irrigated areas (S, seasonal irrigation; P, irrigation with well water; W, irrigation with wastewater) in an arid agricultural region in central Mexico, throughout 2005 and 2006. A total of 52,358 ants belonging to 6 subfamilies, 21 genera and 39 species was collected using pitfall traps. The species best represented in all plots were: Forelius pruinosus, Pheidole obtusospinosa, Monomorium minimum and Dorymyrmex spp. NA plots recorded the highest density of ants. The highest values for diversity (H') and equitativity (J') were recorded in NA and P plots, while the lowest were recorded in W plots. Cluster analysis showed two different groups regarding species composition: NA-S and W-P. Functional groups recorded were: dominant Dolichoderinae, three species; subordinate Camponotini, five species; hot climate specialists, three species; tropical climate specialists, seven species; cold climate specialists, five species; cryptic species, one species; opportunists, six species; generalized Myrmicinae, nine species. Agricultural activity affects the structure of the ant community with epiedaphic forage, and the constant use of irrigation wastewater in conjunction with intense agricultural practices has negative effect upon species richness of epiedaphic ants.
Highlights
Environmental fragmentation due to human activity has contributed dramatically to modify the habitat of animals
Agricultural seasonally irrigated plots (S) recorded higher density than the plots irrigated with wastewater (W) and well water (P) (Table 1)
The highest values for H’, J’ and λ indexes were recorded in NA (H’, 2.64; J’, 0.74) and P plots (H’, 2.63; J’, 0.82), and the lowest values for such parameters were recorded in W plots (H’, 2.13; J’, 0.67), where dominance (λ, 0.33) reached the highest value (Table 1)
Summary
Environmental fragmentation due to human activity has contributed dramatically to modify the habitat of animals. Large natural ecosystems have recently been replaced by agricultural ecosystems. This generally causes a decrease in species richness and, impoverishes the natural landscape (Hole et al, 2005). It has been observed that ants may function as bioindicators, due to their complex ecological. 2009 interactions within their habitat, and to their sensitivity to disturbances (Read & Andersen, 2000). It is possible to analyze variations in the community of ants under the concept of functional groups, defined in accordance with their tolerance to disturbance and environmental stress, as well as with their ability for competitive interactions (Andersen, 1995)
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