Structure and seasonal activity of Chihuahua desert ant communities

Abstract

In a desert area with abundant annual plants the largest feeding guild was gramnivores (nine species). In an area with few annual plants, the largest feeding guild was omnivores (eight species). Within a guild there is little overlap in body length of workers. Species in which there was overlap in body length of workers exhibited marked differences in diel and seasonal activity. Variation in precipitation and productivity between years resulted in differences in seasonal activity, hence considerable variation in the structure of the ant community through time.