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.