Hormigas Coloradas (Solenopsis invicta; Hymenoptera:Formicidae) en Nidos de Yacaré Overo (Caiman latirostris; Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) ¿Aleatorio o Elección?

PARACHÚ MARCÓ M.V.; PIÑA C.I.

INSUGEO, Miscelánea

Lugar: San Miguel de Tucuman; Año: 2008 vol. 17 p. 201 - 210

1514-4836

Abstract: RED FIRE ANTS (SOLENOPSIS INVICTA; HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) IN BROADSNOUTED CAIMAN (CAIMAN LATIROSTRIS; CROCODYLIA: ALLIGATORIDAE) RANDOM OR ELECTION? Solenopsis invicta has a longer reproduction period than other ants, happening in some regions during most of the year, mostly in the warm months, coinciding with reptiles reproduction. The red fire ant (RFA) nests are generally constructed in open sunny areas and habitats recently modified. In North Americathis ant also uses Alligator nests to establish new colonies; and in our region uses caiman nests. RFAs are attracted to caiman nests because they provide a source of proteins, sugars, lipids and humidity; also they would protect the colony from flooding in the floating vegetation. This study analyse the presence of RFA in caiman nests in natural conditions in three nesting habitats, floating vegetation, savanna, and forest; related to the amount of RFA nests in those habitats. The presence of ant nests of S. invicta was similar between different habitats. Probably, ants do not select between habitats to colonize, doing it randomly, nevertheless we found greater preference to colonize floating vegetation nests. We concluded that the ants would take advantage ofhigh places like defense against rains produced during the summer period, where previous to its filtration through the floating vegetation, remains on its, unlike other habitats where it drains quickly.