Effects of habitat complexity on the ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Resende, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of habitat complexity on the ant fauna, in Resende, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Ants were collected with sardine baits in September 2003, in four environments: pasture, commercial reforestation (Eucalyptus monoculture), ecological reforestation (with native tree species), and forest fragment. Were collected 16 genera and 47 species. The species richness was highest in the ecological reforestation (24 species), followed by the forest fragment (20 species), the commercial reforestation (17 species), and the pasture (13 species). Twelve species were recorded only in the forest fragment, nine only in the ecological reforestation, six only in the commercial reforestation, and three only in the pasture. The ant fauna was more similar between the forest fragment and the ecological reforestation, and between the pasture and the commercial reforestation. Results suggest that environmental complexity influences the ant fauna. They also show the potential of ants as bioindicators and the importance of forest remnants and ecological reforestation for the conservation of ant species.