Diversity patterns of ants and termites in forest‐savanna mosaic habitats in two protected areas of Cameroon

Abstract

AbstractKnowledge of ant and termite distribution and ecology is limited for transitional ecosystems in Central Africa. As ants and termites are the primary food for several insectivorous mammals, conservation strategies of threatened species can be strengthened with information on their key food resources. We investigated the ant and termite diversity of two protected areas located in a forest‐savanna transition zone in central Cameroon: Mpem et Djim National Park (MDNP) and Deng‐Deng National Park (DDNP). Ants and termites were collected along 100 line transects using pitfall and bait traps and hand‐sampling during major dry and rainy seasons in seven habitat types. Overall, 14,093 ant individuals representing 108 species, 29 genera, and six subfamilies were recorded. Myrmicinae was the most speciose subfamily in DDNP, while Formicinae dominated in MDNP. The most speciose genus was Crematogaster in both parks. Tapinoma melanocephalum and Pheidole sp. 3 were the most common species recorded in MDNP and DDNP respectively. Ant species richness was highest in near primary forest in DDNP, while richness was greater in the secondary forest of MDNP. Ant communities were more diversified in DDNP than in MDNP. In MDNP, the ant species richness and diversity were highest in the secondary forest and lowest in saltworks, while DDNP near primary forest species richness was highest and swamps lowest. A total of 89 species of termite representing 33 genera and nine subfamilies were recorded from a sample of 56,798 individuals. Termite species richness was similar at DDNP and MDNP. Macrotermitinae was the most common subfamily in both protected areas. The most species‐rich termite genus was Isognathotermes in both parks. Macrotermes amplus in DDNP and Reticulitermes sp. in MDNP respectively, were the most commonly sampled termite species. Near primary forest yielded more termite species in DDNP and MDNP than in other habitat types. Termites and ants' communities were more species‐rich and diversified in relatively closed‐canopy and low‐disturbed forest habitats than in savanna and flooded habitats.