Impacts of disturbance on ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) food preferences and dominance in a Mexican temperate forest
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2024.95.5523Keywords:
Ant nest, Dominance index, Feeding habits, Compensation hypothesis, Carbohydrates, ProteinsAbstract
This study examines the impact of disturbance on the food preferences and dominance of an ant community in a temperate ecosystem in Mexico. The study focused on 2 types of vegetation: native oak forest and induced grassland (disturbed vegetation). Observations were conducted to record the food elements carried by ants to their nests. These data were analyzed using x2 tests. Tuna and honey baits were placed near the nests to record the presence of ants in 5-minute periods. We used a binomial model to determine whether the probability of finding an ant foraging at the baits was affected by vegetation type, bait type, and/or ant species. Additional baits were used to determine the ant
dominance indices. T-tests and ANOVAs were used to compare dominance indices between vegetation types, baits, and ant species. No significant differences were observed in food preferences between vegetations. However, some species showed a preference for honey (i.e., carbohydrates), which could be limited in ground-level environments. Ants showed a submissive behavior in both vegetation types. This research shows that ants could optimize their nutrient intake, enabling them to survive efficiently even when facing disturbances, instead of increasing dominance.
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