Ant Assemblages and Co-Occurrence Patterns in Cypress-Tupelo Swamp

作者：Chen Xuan; Adams Benjamin; Sabo Alexander; Crupi Theresa; Hooper Bui Linda^*

来源：Wetlands, 2016, 36(5): 849-861.

DOI：10.1007/s13157-016-0795-y

• Formicidae
• Functional groups
• Forested wetlands
• Gulf of Mexico
• Solenopsis invicta
• Taxodium distichum
• Nyssa aquatic

While swamps perform valuable functions in coastal ecosystems, terrestrial invertebrates in these fragile habitats are poorly known. The aims of this study were to (1) uncover the ant diversity and functional groups of Cypress-Tupelo swamps; (2) examine the differences of ant assemblages across vertical strata within trees and across tree species within swamps; and (3) determine if the ant mosaic hypothesis applies to observed patterns of arboreal ant distribution. Pitfall traps were set in tree crowns and on trunks to collect the arboreal ants in three swamps in Louisiana. A total of 21 species from 11 genera were collected. Contrary to our hypothesis, ant diversity on trunks was higher than that in the canopy. A multivariate analysis revealed that the canopy and trunk support distinct ant assemblages, whereas ant species composition was not consistently different among the three dominant tree species- bald cypress, water tupelo, and red maples. In addition, evidence of ant mosaic distribution patterns were not detected. Moreover, we did not find dramatic changes of ant diversity or community structure in trees that were infested with invasive red imported fire ants. Our study provides a benchmark to evaluate the effects of disturbances and conservation management in swamp ecosystems.

• 出版日期2016-10