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Article
Scale-Dependent Spatial Ecology of Paleotropical Leaf Litter Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Diversity
  • Lillian Germeroth
  • Theodore Sumnicht
  • Robin M. Verble, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Abstract

The Grain for Which an Observer Conducts a Study is an Important Determinant of its Outcome. Studies of Ants Have Considered Spatial Grains Spanning from Single Meters to Entire Forest Ecosystems and Found Patterns Related to Nutrient Availability, Leaf Litter Depth, Disturbance, and Forest Composition. Here, We Examine a Bornean Leaf Litter Ant Community at Small (1–4 M) and Large (50–250 M) Spatial Scales and Consider the Differences in Community Structure using Structured 1 M2 Quadrats Sampled Via Leaf Litter Sifting and Berlese Extraction. We Found that Small-Scale Patterns in Ant Abundance and Richness Did Not Spatially Auto correlate within a Plot Until >1.5 M. Leaf Litter Characteristics, Forest Stand Characteristics and Sampling Season Were Homogenous among Our Sites, suggesting that Macro-Scale Stand Variables Are Not Largely Regulating the Small Spatial Scale Ant Communities: These May Be Driven by Microclimate, Competition, Niche Space, Nutrient Available, Microclimatic Conditions, or Other Localized Effects. Further Experimental Work is Needed to Elicit Causal Mechanisms.

Department(s)
Biological Sciences
Publication Status
Open Access
Comments

National Science Foundation, Grant 1658711

Keywords and Phrases
  • biodiversity,
  • Borneo,
  • Malaysia,
  • Sabah,
  • semivariogram,
  • tropical conservation,
  • UNESCO man and biosphere reserve
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2023 The Authors, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Publication Date
4-1-2023
Publication Date
01 Apr 2023
Disciplines
Citation Information
Lillian Germeroth, Theodore Sumnicht and Robin M. Verble. "Scale-Dependent Spatial Ecology of Paleotropical Leaf Litter Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)" Diversity Vol. 15 Iss. 4 (2023) ISSN: 1424-2818
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robin-verble/18/