Ant species richness of fynbos and forest ecosystems in the southern Cape

Abstract

The ant fauna in fynbos and forest habitats in the southern cape are compared. There is no significant difference in ant species richness between the two undisturbed habitat types, and the only two species common to both are Acantholepis capensis and Camponotus maculatus. The degree of Hakea sericea infestation in the fynbos negatively affected ant species richness. Ant species richness in the Afromontane forest decreased from the drier to the wetter sites. The aggressive alien ant species, lridomynnex humilis. has not invaded natural areas to any great extent.Die mierfauna in fynbos-en inheemse woud-habitatte in die Suid-Kaap is vergelyk. Daar is geen beduidende verskille in mierspesieverskeidenheid tussen die twee onversteurde habitat-tipes nie. Slags twee spesies. Acantholepis capensis en Camponotus maculatus is in albei habitatte aangetref. Die mate van Hakea sericea besmetting in die fynbos verminder mierspesieverskeidenheid. Mierspesieverskeidenheid in die Afrikaanse berQwoud het 'n afname getoon van die droeer na die natter persele. Daar is nag geen beduidende indringing van die aggresiewe uitheemse mierspesie, lridomynnex humilis, in natuurlike habitatte nie.

Ants, altitude and change in the northern Cape Floristic Region

“…The number of ant species collected in Proteoid Fynbos here (48 species) is comparable to that of other studies conducted in the same vegetation type (Donnelly & Giliomee, 1985; (a) (b) Schlettwein & Giliomee, 1987;Koen & Breytenbach, 1988). However, by comparison with ant assemblages in many other Southern African regions, with the exception of the arid Nama Karoo, total species (85) and generic (24) richness recorded in this study were low (Samways, 1983(Samways, , 1990Milton et al, 1992;Swart et al, 1999;Lindsey & Skinner, 2001;Parr et al, 2002Parr et al, , 2004.…”

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

“…This reflects the different evolutionary histories of the ant faunae of the arid areas in these countries (Marsh, 1986b). In keeping with the findings of a number of South African studies (Donnelly & Giliomee 1985a, Koen & Breytenbach, 1988Samways, 1983) Tetramorium was the largest genus in the area with nine species. Indeed, the Ethiopian zoogeographical region contains more Tetramorium species than the rest of the world combined (Bolton, 1980).…”

“…Little is known of the habitat requirements of many ants, but the limited research done indicates that ant assemblages are influenced by a number of habitat variables including; landform, geology, soil type, soil moisture, physiognomy, vegetation cover, plant structural diversity and leaf litter cover (Koen & Breytenbach, 1988;Andersen, 1993). Positive correlation between plant structural diversity and the abundance and diversity of ants is frequently reported (Culver, 1974;Room, 1975).…”

“…The work that has been done has focused largely on the Cape Fynbos (Donnelly & Giliomee, 1985a1985bKoen & Breytenbach, 1988), Mpumalanga (Samways, 1983, Swart et al, 1999 and the Namib Desert (Marsh, 1986a).…”

Ecological factors affecting the feeding behaviour of pangolins (Manis temminckii)

“…In arid and semi-arid regions where temperatures are often extreme, above-ground ant activity is controlled by changes in temperature and food supply, and regulated by daily weather¯uctuations (Andersen, 1983(Andersen, , 1986Greenslade & Greenslade, 1984;Koen & Breytenbach, 1988). In particular, the effects of temperature, as a major factor in¯uencing above-ground ant activity, has frequently been noted (Briese & Macauley, 1980;Andersen, 1983).…”