African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6787

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.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Raimunda Nonata S. de Lemos
  • Raimunda Nonata S. de Lemos
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Alirya Magda S. do Vale
  • Alirya Magda S. do Vale
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Michela C. Batista
  • Michela C. Batista
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Aldenise A. Moreira
  • Aldenise A. Moreira
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Ana Y. Harada
  • Ana Y. Harada
  • Emilio Goeldi Museum at Pará State, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Mário L. R. Mesquita
  • Mário L. R. Mesquita
  • Maranhão State University, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar


  •  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.

Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

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

Back to Vol. 10 No. 49
Back to articles
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS
SUBMIT MANUSCRIPT
CONFERENCES