Twigs of Albizia niopoides (Spruce ex Benth.) Burkart as a nesting resource for ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Author(s)

Morais da Silva, Otavio Guilherme ^[1] ; Fernandes, Tae Tanaami ^[1] ; da Silva, Rogerio Rosa ^[2] ; de Souza-Campana, Debora Rodrigues ^[1] ; de Castro Morini, Maria Santina ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi Das Cruzes, SP - Brazil

^[2] Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, Belem, Para - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Entomologia; v. 60, n. 2, p. 182-185, APR-JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ants can use twigs from fragments of tree branches as a nesting resource. The present study analyzed gatherings of ants in twigs of Albizia niopoides, a Fabaceae native to the Atlantic Forest that is used in landscaping in parks and squares in Brazil. Expeditions were performed in an urban park located in Atlantic Forest areas between February and June 2014. A total of 70 twigs with ants were collected and included 9357 workers, 2309 broods ants, 68 winged ants and 19 queens. Four subfamilies, 10 genera and 17 species/morphospecies were recorded. The species with the largest number of nests were Nylanderia sp.1, Hypoponera sp.4, and Wasmannia auropunctata. Ants of different species were found coexisting in the same twig, and Pheidole gr. tristis was the most common species found sharing a nest. Among the species recorded, only Pseudomyrmex gracilis and P. phyllophilus are arboreal; the others also live in litter. For some species, our results indicate that the twig occupation in the litter can be structured and not by chance. No correlation was found between the twig structure and the colony components. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/16861-5 - Litter resources in areas of Atlantic domain in Southeast Brazil: association between ants' morphology and nest structure
• Grantee: Maria Santina de Castro Morini
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants