Diversity of ant assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in an urban environment in Cameroon during and after colonization of the area by Wasmannia auropunctata

Paul Serge Mbenoun Masse,Ruth Mony,Champlain Djieto-Lordon,Maurice Tindo,Martin Kenne

doi:10.14411/eje.2019.047

Paul Serge Mbenoun Masse, Ruth Mony + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2019.047

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Abstract

Invasive species disrupt the organization and functioning of many ant communities. Little is known about ant assemblages formerly in areas invaded by the little fire ant. In this study, we surveyed the same areas and compared the ant communities there when an invasive species first colonized the areas and 10 years later, using the same methodology (quadrat and baiting). A total of 83,299 worker ants from 17 species or morphospecies, in 4 subfamilies and 10 genera were recorded in the two periods sampled. Seven ant species were found to co-occur with W. auropunctata while 12 species were collected in the same area 10 years later, with no W. auropunctata recorded in any of the traps. In the absence of W. auropunctata, the number and diversity of ant species increased and the ant communities were dominated by the African big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala. Our findings indicate that the disappearance of W. auropunctata is probably related to population increases in P. megacephala associated with dramatic changes in landscape. Further studies at other invaded locations should be carried out in order to reveal the generality of these patterns throughout this country.

Highlights

Invasive species are recognized worldwide as one of the most important threats to biodiversity after habitat fragmentation (Rabitsch, 2011; Wittman, 2014; Orrock et al, 2015; Bertelsmeier et al, 2016)
In areas colonized by this ant, native ant species richness was very low, whereas ten years later when W. auropunctata was no longer present it was much higher
The abundance of many invasive species may vary substantially over time and recovery or resurgence of native ant communities is possible after they decline in abundance or disappear (Torres & Snelling, 1997; Morrison, 2002; Wetterer et al, 2006; Calixto et al, 2007)

Summary

Introduction

Invasive species are recognized worldwide as one of the most important threats to biodiversity after habitat fragmentation (Rabitsch, 2011; Wittman, 2014; Orrock et al, 2015; Bertelsmeier et al, 2016). Ants are among the most problematic invasive species, threatening native biodiversity, and negatively impacting ecosystem and human health (Elton, 1958; Mack et al, 2000; Holway et al, 2002; Lach & Hooper-Bui, 2010; Rabitsch, 2011; Orrock et al, 2015). In Cameroon, W. auropunctata was first reported in cocoa plantations along the Kribi-Ebolowa road (de Miré, 1969). Since it has successfully spread into southern and eastern Cameroon (Tindo et al, 2012), where it has severely reduced the abundance and richness of native ant species (Mbenoun et al, 2017)

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