Biotic and Abiotic Factors Shaping Ant (Hymenoptera:

Formicidae) Assemblages in Brazilian Coastal Sand

Dunes: The Case of Restinga in Santa Catarina
Danon Clemes Cardoso* and José Henrique Schoereder
*
Corresponding author; E-mail: danon.cardoso@ufv.br

Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, P.H. Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa,
Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil

Florida Entomologist

Vol. 97: , Issue. 4, : Pages. 1443-1450

(Issue publication date: December 2014)

https://doi.org/10.1653/024.097.0419

ABSTRACT
Species inhabiting Brazilian coastal sand dunes (restingas) may feature a number of
adaptations in their development and survival in these physical stressful
environments. The present study determined the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on
the assemblage of grounddwelling ants in a sand dune ecosystem of the Santa
Catarina coastal plain in Brazil. Both linear and quadratic models were significant, but
the quadratic model fitted the obtained data better. Furthermore, we also found a
relationship between plant species richness and distance from the ocean only by using
the quadratic model. Ant species richness was correlated with plant species richness,
litter and vegetation coverage. Different environmental factors associated with plant
species richness may have influenced the ant species richness by increasing the
diversity and amount of available resources. The vegetation may also offer protection
from higher temperatures by providing shade, a humid microclimate and a source of
water, which is a limiting factor in sand dune environments. Our results showed the
importance of plant species richness, and soil cover by litter and plants as local
characteristics determining ant species richness in sand dunes. Further studies should
explore additional habitat components, such as biotic interactions, as determinants of
ant species richness.

The southern Brazilian coastland is mainly characterized by the Atlantic Forest

domain, which is a complex of phytophysiognomies distributed according to
topography, altitude and distance from the ocean. One of these physiognomies is the
“restinga”, defined as groups of plant communities under marine or riverine-marine
influence living on salty sand soils, being considered edaphic communities because
they depend more on the soil characteristics than on the climate. This is a peculiar
ecosystem because it contains a great number of distinctive biological assemblages,
constrained by several environmental stresses such as water stress, strong winds,
unsteady substrate, salt spray, soil salinity, burial propensity, wave action, solar
radiation and wide daily and seasonal fluctuations of temperature (Franco et al. 1984; Maun
2009). These factors make sand dunes a comparatively harsh environment, with severe
limitations to the vegetation and fauna.

The remarkable limitation imposed by such harsh environmental conditions is easily

observed in a plant community (Wilson & Sykes 1999; Maun & Perumal 1999; Gilbert et al.
2008; Maun 2009). Plant assemblages are spread in clusters due to progressive shifts of
environmental stresses and the plant species that showed different tolerances to these
stresses (Maun 2009). Nevertheless, different authors hold divergent views on the
mechanisms affecting this clustered distribution, although wind, burial propensity and
soil characteristics are considered major structuring forces shaping plant distribution
in sand dunes (Wilson & Sykes 1999; Maun & Perumal 1999; Gilbert et al. 2008). These factors,
directly or indirectly, should also affect the fauna that occurs in these environments.

Various factors have been suggested as determinants of ant assemblages and several
studies have addressed this issue (Retana & Cerdá 2000; Ribas et al. 2003; Coelho & Ribeiro
2006; Wenninger & Inouye 2008). Among these factors, competitive interactions,
microclimatic conditions, the availability of resources and nesting site locations are
considered as major influences that determine species richness at a local scale (Cornell
& Lawton 1992; Godfray & Lawton 2001).

Ants are an important and diverse component of restingas (Vargas et al. 2007; Cardoso &
Cristiano 2010). In Brazil, Vargas et al. (2007) sampled 92 ant species comprising 36
genera and 8 subfamilies in the restinga of Marambaia, state of Rio de Janeiro, while
Cardoso & Cristiano (2010) sampled a total of 71 ant species in the restinga of Morro
dos Conventos, state of Santa Catarina, comprising 21 genera and 7 subfamilies. Such
differences in richness using the same sampling technique (pitfall traps) may reflect a
species richness gradient of latitude, in which the diversity decreases with increasing
latitude (Silva & Brandão 2014).
Several studies on plant and ant communities addressed predicted relationships
between plant and ant diversity in different ecosystems (Ribas et al. 2003; Leal 2003; Corrêa et
al. 2006), but this issue has not yet been extensively explored in sand dune
environments. Vargas et al. (2007) found a positive correlation between ant and plant
species richness in sand dune habitats, although they did not actually estimate plant
species richness, but inferred this parameter from the literature. Moreover, other plant
attributes like percentage of cover and soil attributes were not evaluated. Changes in
ant species composition along different sand dune phytophysiognomies were found in
the restinga of Morro dos Conventos (Cardoso et al. 2010). However, the ecological factors
that determine these remarkable spatial distributions were not tested.

In this study, we analyzed the relationship of ant species richness with oceanward
edge distances to inland sand dunes, testing the prediction that ant species richness,
together with plant species richness, increases with distance from the ocean. We
hypothesized that ant species richness increases with (1) plant species richness, (2)
soil cover by plants or litter, and (3) the amount of soil organic matter; moreover that
(4) ant species richness decreases with increasing salt concentration in the soil, and
that (5) ant species richness responds positively to the heterogeneity of the
environment.

http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1653/024.097.0419

What is important for ant assemblages in temperate forest soils?

Author links open overlay panelTae-SungKwon
Show more

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2016.02.006Get rights and content

Open Access funded by Korean Biodiversity Information Facility (KBIF) in National Science Museum of
Korea and Korea

Under a Creative Commons license

Abstract
Ant assemblages in the soil have been studied at eight forest sites (4 oak forest sites,
and 4 pine forest sites) in four study areas (1 seminatural area, and 3 industrialized
areas) in South Korea for 6 years from 2002 to 2010. Soil cores and Tullgren funnel
were used for the ant survey. Ant surveys were carried out once per year in autumn
 (from late September to mid-October). The soil pH was lower in the industrialized than
in the seminatural area, showing the acidified soils in the industrialized areas. However,
the soil acidification did not influence the ant assemblages. The results from the
nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination and from the community temperature
index values indicate that temperature is a key determinant for structures of the soil ant
assemblages. The ant assemblages were not different according to the forest types
(oak forests vs. pine forests). Occurrence of ant species varied greatly among years,
indicating that more replicates and advanced sampling method are needed for the
monitoring of the soil ant assemblages.
 Previous article
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Keywords
ants

community temperature index

forest type

soil acidification

temperature

Introduction
Soils are organic and inorganic particles supporting the living organisms in the terrestrial
ecosphere. Soils provide nutrients, air, space, water, commensal microorganisms for
growth of plants, and, therefore, soil characteristics are one of most important
determinants for plant productivity in the terrestrial ecosystems (Sørensen 1997).
Microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria in soils decompose organic matters, and
provide nutrients to plants. Extremely abundant microanimals in soils feed on the
microorganisms and on the decomposing organic matters. Ants are top predators in the
soil ecosystems, and, therefore, may make cascading effects on the diverse soil
organisms through food chains. Ants dig soils for nests, which provides air and nutrients
to soils and contributes to soil turnover, and harbor many commensals. These activities
increase productivity and biodiversity of soils (Wagner et al 1997). Therefore, ants are
called ecosystem engineers (Folgarait 1998). Despite their significant contributions to
soil ecosystems, ants in soils are usually overlooked for their importance and roles
(Lobry de Bruyn 1999). Recently, ants have been acknowledged as standard
bioindicators for diverse environmental changes (Agosti et al 2000). However, most
attention is focused on ground-dwelling, litter-dwelling, and vegetation-dwelling ants
(Agosti et al 2000). Only a few studies of the soil-dwelling ants (hereafter, soil ants) are
found among the huge literatures of ant assemblages. In Korea, to my knowledge, there
is no study specifically designed to find characteristics of the soil ant assemblages
despite the long history of Korean ant study.
South Korea has experienced the rapid urbanization and industrialization since the early
1960s. These would acidify soils through acid rains in forested areas in this country.
However, few studies on the ecological influences of soil acidification are reported on
soil arthropods (Cho 1999; Kwak et al 1992). In this study, the primary aim was to find
characteristics (species composition, abundance, richness) of ant assemblages in forest
soils. The next aim was to test whether soil acidification would influence the ant
assemblages. In South Korea, pine forests (Pinus densiflora) dominated forested areas
(about 60%) in the 1970s, but oak forests (27%) and pine forests (23%) have been
balanced since the 2000s as deforested forests were recovered by Korea's successful
reforestation program (Bae and Lee 2006). Ant assemblages are known to be usually
independent on forest types (deciduous forests and coniferous forests, or tree
species; Kwon 2014, Kwon et al 2014b; Floren and Linsenmair 2001). This finding was
also tested. Through the national survey on the ground-foraging ants, temperature was
found to be the key factor for distribution of ants (Kwon and Lee 2015; Kwon et al
2014a). This finding indicates that the soil ant assemblages were also mainly
determined by temperature. This prediction was also tested, and the influences of three
factors (soil acidification, forest types, and temperature) on the soil ant assemblages
were compared and discussed.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2287884X1630005X

Ants in The Garden – Good or Bad?

But any ant can damage your plants if their colony happens to be directly next to the root
system. They can also cause unsightly bald patches in your lawn, as an ant nest can cover
patches of grass preventing it from growing properly.
 The more sinister sounding Fire Antcan do a lot of damage in a garden
and destroy plants by tunnelling through its root system or feeding off young buds or even
nutritious seeds. These ants will bite you too, which can cause allergic reactions in some
people!

https://www.rentokil.ie/blog/ants-in-the-garden-good-or-bad/

How to Grow Bell Pepper

There are two kinds of bell pepper — one is the pungent kind and the other not. The first is used in
food manufacturing where they are processed as spice and sold as food condiments. The other,
non-pungent, is the ordinary kind sold in markets. A hectare of pepper can accommodate 27,600
plants that are about 60 cm apart from each other. Bell pepper likes a warm climate, fertile soil that
does not lodge water; it is good to plant it at a time when the sun shines abundantly in that place.

http://www.mixph.com/how-to-grow-bell-pepper-high-value-crops/

Growing Bell Peppers

Bell peppers can be ideal for planting in Philippine climate. Bell peppers love heat This crop needs
warm soil and air temperatures throughout the growing season.

Carmela Abaygar, Marid Digest, organicgardeninfo.com, photo from www.freedigitalphotos.net

http://www.mixph.com/growing-bell-pepper-a-high-value-crop/


Agriculture

 1 Jul 2015

 BY PIO A. JAVIER, PHD & TONY A. RODRIGUEZ

INSECT PESTS are a major hindrance to profitable vegetable production, as

these may cause more than a 50 percent reduction in yield. Damage caused by
pests is irreversible; the plants may not be able to recover from the resulting
infections to their shoots and other parts.
INSECT PESTS are a major hindrance to profitable vegetable production, as
these may cause more than a 50 percent reduction in yield. Damage caused by
pests is irreversible; the plants may not be able to recover from the resulting
infections to their

Other predators of insect pests are Coccinelid beetles

that prey on the instar larvae of lepidopterous insects, and stink bugs that feed on the larvae of those insects and
cutworms.
INSECT PESTS are a major hindrance to profitable vegetable production, as these may cause more than a 50
percent reduction in yield. Damage caused by pests is irreversible; the plants may not be able to recover from
the resulting infections to their shoots and other parts.

factors and spatial patterns on species richness and community structure of

ground ant assemblages in four Bornean rainforests

Dirk Mezger

Martin Pfeiffer

First published: 13 August 2010

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2010.06538.x
Cited by: 13

D. Mezger (dirk.mezger@uni‐ulm.de) and M. Pfeiffer, Dept of Experimental Ecology, Univ. of Ulm,

Albert‐Einstein‐Allee 11, DE‐89069 Ulm, Germany.

Abstract
Contrasting theories have been proposed to explain the structure of ecological communities. Here,
we studied the impact of environmental factors and spatial patterns on ground‐foraging ant
communities in four different forest types of Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Borneo,
Malaysia. Forest types differed in their environmental parameters and were inhabited by distinct ant
communities, with various indicator species characteristic for single forest types. Three
environmental parameters, soil volume, number of trees and amount of leaf litter, had the most
influence on ant communities. Spatial patterns were correlated with environmental parameters and
also influenced ant communities. Environmental parameters influenced community composition only
moderately (r2=0.14), but had a high impact on species richness (r2=0.44). Spatial patterns explained
only a small fraction of the total variance in species patterns, while much of the residual space in the
ordination space of ant community patterns remained unexplained. We conclude that environmental
parameters shape the number of niches within a tropical soil habitat, but identities of species that
occupy those niches are accounted for by other factors like competition, traits and neutral processes
that may further reduce unexplained variance in species ordination.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2010.06538.x

Ants

By Debbie Vasen
 SOURCE

Ants are not a significant garden pest, unless of course you want an enjoyable family picnic
in the lawn. These tiny creatures have an amazing societal system which is typically what
causes their irritating garden behaviors.

Garden Varieties
For most species, control is only necessary in the garden if the population gets out of hand.
Garden varieties do not actually eat plants or actively destroy any plant matter. Their main
source of food is sugar, usually found in nectar, sap, or the honeydew excrement from
aphids. In some cases, garden ants can actually be a beneficial insect as they will kill off
more destructive pests like caterpillars. They are also natural soil aerators through their
extensive tunneling systems. As food for beneficial animals such as birds, lizards, and
toads, they will also encourage wildlife to flourish in your garden.

Hazardous Species
Although the mild-mannered outnumber the problem populations in most areas, there are
two species to watch out for.

Carpenter
Carpenter ants are a quick disaster to any wooden structure. Major forces that can tunnel,
nest, and destroy old wood in a relatively short period of time; these insects are a known
hazard to your home. Even in the garden they can be treacherous, attacking backyard play
structures, trellis, and garden sheds.

Fire
Anyone who has had a personal run in with a fire ant colony can easily consent to the
significance of their hazard to humans and animals. There is a reason they carry the name
"fire," as the sting from these insects creates severe pain and even allergic reactions in
some people. Of the ant species, these are the most destructive and dangerous in the
garden. Not only can their battling stings hurt, the poisons are capable of killing small
animals, reptiles, and birds. Their extensive social nesting system can cause major damage
to garden plants. As the worst offender of the ant family, if they are present in your garden,
it is time for some control methods.

https://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Ants

Got Ants in Your Plants? Here’s What You Need to Know

Ants Increase Pest Populations

What do ants like?

If you’ve ever spilled a soda or bag of candy on the sidewalk, you probably know the
answer. Sugar.

And guess what aphids (as well as mealybugs, scale, whiteflies, and other sap-sucking
pests) naturally produce?

Yep. Sugar, in the form of a sticky liquid secretion (yuck, right?) called "honeydew."

Here’s the interesting part: Much like humans farm cows, ants farm aphids — protecting
these bad bugs from predators so they can "milk" honeydew from them.

They’ll then carry the honeydew back to the nest to share with the queen and other
workers. And sometimes ants move aphids to their nest or better plants.

The scientific term for this relationship, if you’re curious, is mutualistic symbiosis.

June 15, 2017

by Logan Nickleson

http://www.towergarden.com/blog.read.html/en/2017/6/control-ants-in-the-garden.html