INVESTIGADORES
CALCATERRA Luis Alberto
artículos
Título:
Ground Ant Diversity (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Ibera Nature Reserve, the Largest Wetland of Argentina
Autor/es:
LUIS A. CALCATERRA, FABIANA CUEZZO, SONIA M. CABRERA, AND JUAN A. BRIANO
Revista:
ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGYCAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Editorial:
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOC AMER
Referencias:
Año: 2010 vol. 103 p. 71 - 83
ISSN:
0013-8746
Resumen:
The Ibera´ Nature Reserve in northeastern Argentina protects one of the largest freshwater wetlands and reservoirs of species in South America. However, key invertebrate groups such as the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) remain almost unknown. The main objective of this work was to study the ground ant diversity in four main habitats of Ibera´: grasslands, savannas, forests, and ßoating islands. Pitfall traps were used to characterize ground foraging ant assemblages, compare ant diversity among environments, and establish habitat associations. We also used bait traps, manual collections, and Winkler and Berlese extractors on the ground, vegetation, and litter strata to increase the species inventory. In total, 94 species in 30 genera were captured, representing the highest number of species reported from a survey of a protected area of Argentina. The richest genus was Pheidole´ Nature Reserve in northeastern Argentina protects one of the largest freshwater wetlands and reservoirs of species in South America. However, key invertebrate groups such as the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) remain almost unknown. The main objective of this work was to study the ground ant diversity in four main habitats of Ibera´: grasslands, savannas, forests, and ßoating islands. Pitfall traps were used to characterize ground foraging ant assemblages, compare ant diversity among environments, and establish habitat associations. We also used bait traps, manual collections, and Winkler and Berlese extractors on the ground, vegetation, and litter strata to increase the species inventory. In total, 94 species in 30 genera were captured, representing the highest number of species reported from a survey of a protected area of Argentina. The richest genus was Pheidole´: grasslands, savannas, forests, and ßoating islands. Pitfall traps were used to characterize ground foraging ant assemblages, compare ant diversity among environments, and establish habitat associations. We also used bait traps, manual collections, and Winkler and Berlese extractors on the ground, vegetation, and litter strata to increase the species inventory. In total, 94 species in 30 genera were captured, representing the highest number of species reported from a survey of a protected area of Argentina. The richest genus was PheidolePheidole Westwood with 23 species including three species reported for the Þrst time in Argentina. The most common species was Solenopsis invicta Buren. Overall, the savanna was the richest and most diverse habitat with the highest number of exclusive species and functional groups. The grassland showed the highest number of rare species, but only half of the expected species were captured. The forest showed the lowest ant richness, diversity, and equitability, but one half of the species were exclusive to forest habitat. Generalized myrmicines were predominant and dominant in all habitats. Our Þndings indicate that habitat specialization could be an important factor determining the organization of ant assemblages in Ibera´. The protection of each of these unique and threatened natural habitats of Argentina is needed to ensure the long-term preservation of their exclusive ant species.Solenopsis invicta Buren. Overall, the savanna was the richest and most diverse habitat with the highest number of exclusive species and functional groups. The grassland showed the highest number of rare species, but only half of the expected species were captured. The forest showed the lowest ant richness, diversity, and equitability, but one half of the species were exclusive to forest habitat. Generalized myrmicines were predominant and dominant in all habitats. Our Þndings indicate that habitat specialization could be an important factor determining the organization of ant assemblages in Ibera´. The protection of each of these unique and threatened natural habitats of Argentina is needed to ensure the long-term preservation of their exclusive ant species.´. The protection of each of these unique and threatened natural habitats of Argentina is needed to ensure the long-term preservation of their exclusive ant species.