Taxonomic Inventory of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Jammu and Kashmir State

Wachkoo, Aıjaz Ahmad; Akbar, Shahid; Jan, Ulfat; Shah, Ghulam Mustafa

doi:10.1007/978-981-32-9174-4_27

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Several genera were found to be common throughout Tarai and Siwalik and the hills of western, central, and eastern regions, while others were found to be peculiar to a specific location (Figures 3 and 5), with the Palearctic genera being reported at high elevations. Although it is difficult to make an exact comparison of this study with other studies because objectives, sampling methods, the area covered, and identification levels vary, our findings are consistent with ant inventories in our neighboring countries, particularly in dominant subfamilies and commonly occurring genera, such as southern China [57], Yunnan, China [58], northwestern Siwalik, India [59], southwest China [60], Jammu and Kashmir, India [61]. Furthermore, our findings agree with those of a previous study that recognized Camponotus, Pheidole, and Crematogaster as the three most species-rich genera on a global scale [62].…”

Section: Ant Species Diversitysupporting

confidence: 81%

Diversity and Distribution of Forest Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Nepal: Implications for Sustainable Forest Management

Subedi

Budha

Kunwar³

et al. 2021

Insects

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The information available on the diversity of ant species and their distribution and interaction with forest health in Nepal remains limited. As part of a nationwide project on forest health, we conducted inventories to assess the diversity and distribution of forest ants and their role in forest management in Nepal. Ants were collected from 187 plots of 10 m × 10 m size along the north–south belt transects in eastern, central, and western Nepal. We used vegetation beating, sweeping, and hand collection methods in selected forest types. In each transect, we designed six plots in each major forest type (Sal, Schima–Castanopsis, and broadleaf mixed forests) and three plots each in deodar, Alnus, riverine, and Cryptomeria forests. We recorded 70 ant species from 36 genera and six subfamilies. This includes five genera and nine species new for the country, as well as eight tramp species, four of which are major ecological, agricultural, and/or household pests. Our study indicates that forest ant species richness is high in western Nepal and the Siwaliks, and it decreases as elevation increases. The high diversity of ant species in the forests of Nepal needs to be assessed with further exploration using multiple sampling methods covering all seasons and forest types. Ants can be useful indicators for ecosystem management and human impacts on forests. Reports of invasive ants in Nepalese forests indicate the relevance of urgent interventions through sustainable forest management initiatives to prevent future incursions.

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