African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Ant diversity in agro ecosystems and secondary forest

Albéryca Stephany de J. C. Ramos
  • Albéryca Stephany de J. C. Ramos
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
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Raimunda Nonata S. de Lemos
  • Raimunda Nonata S. de Lemos
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
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Alirya Magda S. do Vale
  • Alirya Magda S. do Vale
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
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Michela C. Batista
  • Michela C. Batista
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
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Aldenise A. Moreira
  • Aldenise A. Moreira
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
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Ana Y. Harada
  • Ana Y. Harada
  • Emilio Goeldi Museum at Pará State, Brazil.
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Mário L. R. Mesquita
  • Mário L. R. Mesquita
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 19 January 2015
  •  Accepted: 15 October 2015
  •  Published: 03 December 2015

Abstract

The knowledge of ant diversity in an area can provide important information to set up management and conservation planning. This study aimed to identify the ants colonizing cultivated areas comparing their composition, abundance and diversity with the myrmecofauna from a non-managed area. The research was carried out at the Farm School at the Maranhão State University in São Luis, Northeastern Brazil from August, 2011 to July, 2012 in three environments (citrus orchard, agroforestry system and secondary forest), using pitfall traps. Ants were collected every two weeks, totaling 24 collections, from August, 2011 to July, 2012. We identified 21 species, with predominance of the sub family Myrmicinae, the genera Pheidole and the species Pheidole obscurithorax Naves, 1985. The study of ant abundance, composition, richness and similarity, showed higher diversity in the agroforestry system.

 

Key words: Formicidae, inventory, myrmecofauna, biodiversity.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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