Abstract
Abstract The presence of Solenopsis invicta in Caiman latirostris nests is suspected to be a possible cause of death in caiman hatchlings, but this has not been documented within the native distribution of this ant. In crocodilian ranching programs, wild eggs are collected from the field, and delays between collection and transportation to incubators are usually minimized in the hope of maximizing embryo survival. We analyzed nests harvested during five consecutive nesting seasons of C. latirostris to determine the phenology of S. invicta colonization of caiman nests. The percentages of colonized caiman nests for each season were calculated. Densities of S. invicta mounds built on bare ground were assessed to determine potential relationships between density and the proportion of caiman nests colonized by the end of nesting season. We also evaluated whether S. invicta preferred certain habitats to establish their mounds. We found no relationship between S. invicta mound densities and the percentage of C. ...
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