Ant composition and activity patterns as determined by pitfall trapping and other methods in three habitats in the semi-arid Karoo

The diversity and abundance of epigaeic ant species were determined across three habitats (riverine areas, gently sloping grassland areas and steep slope areas) in summer (November–December) and winter (May–June) of 1998 at Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve in the Karoo, to determine temporal and sp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of arid environments Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 551 - 568
Main Authors: Lindsey, P.A., Skinner, J.D.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2001
Elsevier
Subjects:
abundance
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
dig samples
diversity
epigaeic ants
Formicidae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
habitat
habitats
Karoo
pitfall trap
Protozoa. Invertebrata
quadrats
rivers
season
seasonal variation
semiarid zones
South Africa
spatial variation
species diversity
South Africa(Republic)
Africa
South Africa
dig samples
Karoo
epigaeic ants
diversity
habitat
abundance
season
pitfall trap
quadrats
Grassland
Formicidae
Spatial variability
Fauna
Insecta
Biodiversity
Formicoidea
Trapping
Semi arid zone
Seasonal variation
Arthropoda
Land slope
Habitat
Hymenoptera
Invertebrata
Sampling
Food supply
Comparative study
Aculeata
Ecological abundance
ISSN:0140-1963, 1095-922X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The diversity and abundance of epigaeic ant species were determined across three habitats (riverine areas, gently sloping grassland areas and steep slope areas) in summer (November–December) and winter (May–June) of 1998 at Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve in the Karoo, to determine temporal and spatial variations in the availability of potential prey species of the aardvark (Orycteropus afer). Pitfall trapping, dig sampling and quadrat sampling were used to ensure as complete a sampling effort as possible. Forty-five ant species of five sub-families and 17 genera were recorded. The grassland habitat yielded the highest abundance and diversity, followed by the steep slope and riverine areas. Ant abundance and diversity were higher during summer than winter in all three habitats. Anoplolepis custodiens was the most abundant species in summer, whilst Monomorium albopilosum was the most abundant species in winter. Pitfall trapping was responsible for recording more species than dig sampling or quadrat sampling. No method recorded all of the species present.
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ISSN:0140-1963
1095-922X
DOI:10.1006/jare.2000.0764