R. Mony

• Biodiversity Journal, 12 (1): 0179-0194

  Paul Serge Mbenoun Massé, G.L. Mendoua Ebolo, G. Ebangue Titti & R. Mony
  Ant species richness, abundance and functional groups along an elevation gradient in Central Cameroon
  https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.1.179.194

  ABSTRACT
  Of all leaf litter-dwelling arthropods, ants are highly diverse, abundant, easy to sample, and thought to be sensitive to environmental changes. In central Africa, ant diversity patterns along the elevational gradients are poorly studied compared to latitudinal gradients. In this study, we evaluated the species richness, abundance and functional groups at Mount Eloundem. Ants were surveyed by pitfall trapping, baiting, Winkler extraction and quadrat sampling from September 2018 to April 2019. A total of 151 morphospecies in 9 sub-families and 42 genera were recorded from all four elevations. Twenty percent of identified species were found to be endemic to the study region while 80% have been introduced to the fauna of Cameroon. The army ant, Dorylus (Anomma) nigricans, was the most abundant ant species (51.46%). Ant richness and abundance were highest at both lower (800 and 900 m) and higher elevational bands (1000 and 1150 m) and lowest at moderate elevational bands (900 and 1000 m). Higher similarity of ant species among elevations indicated low species turnover. Six functional groups were found at different elevations, with the “Opportunists’’ being the most abundant group. Our findings demonstrate the predominance of opportunist, non-native or tramp species and a decline in native ant species along the elevational gradients. This study suggests that the loss of native habitat facilitate the establishment of tramp species, and might lead to homogenisation in ant community composition and functional groups. These results also have implications for management of the low altitude mountains in Central Africa.

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