Abstract
In this study we evaluated the influence of temperature and species co-occurrence on the structure of an ant community of treefall gaps and surrounding dense forests in a terra-firme forest of Central Amazon, Brazil. For this, we collected ants at different hours, and at the time of each collection we measured the temperature of the environment. Even with the difference in the temperature variation and variation throughout the day, there was no difference in the richness and abundance of ants among the environments. Also, the ant species are distributed randomly and independently of one another in both studied environments in accordance with a null model (C-score). However, although not influenced by temperature, the ant composition of treefall gaps was different from the ant community of the surrounding dense forest. Possibly the composition and ant foraging in environments of treefall gaps and surrounding dense forests are not only influenced by temperature, but also by the interaction of this factor with the structural complexity of vegetation in terms of sites available for nesting and feeding, and other microclimatic factors. This generates a difference in ant composition of both environments. In addition, the structuring of ant community in tropical rain forests may actually be stochastic or neutral within each environment.
Highlights
In the tropics, most small natural forest disturbances are caused by falling trees, forming natural treefall gaps (Uhl et al 1978, Brokaw 1985, AlmeidaSociobiology Vol 59, No 2, 20121989)
Eight species were exclusive to treefall gaps and 17 species were exclusive to surrounding dense forests (Table 1)
Many studies have shown the factors that determine the ant diversity in different spatial scales (Hölldobler & Wilson 1990, Andersen 1997, Cerdá 1997, Gibb & Hochuli 2002, Ribas et al 2003, Floren & Linsenmair 2005, Kaspari 2005)
Summary
Most small natural forest disturbances are caused by falling trees, forming natural treefall gaps (Uhl et al 1978, Brokaw 1985, AlmeidaSociobiology Vol 59, No 2, 20121989). This stochastic event is part of the natural forest dynamic and acts as an additional factor in forest structure, changing the light intensity, temperature and humidity in these sites (Whitmore 1978, Brown 1993, Allen & Meyer 1998) When this new habitat is formed, several adapted organisms can colonize these sites, replacing one another in succession (Probert 1993, Ekstam & Forseby 1999, Andrade 2000). In tropical rain forests, the ant diversity is extremely high, reaching approximately 500 species in only one collection site (Wilson 1959, Fisher 1999, Vasconcelos & Delabie 2000, Longino et al 2002) The success of these organisms is mainly due to several ecological and social adaptations, including generalized feeding and nesting habits (Benson & Harada 1988, Hölldobler & Wilson 1990, Fowler et al 1991). Little is known about the relationship between the natural dynamics of tropical rainforests and the ant communities inside forests
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
