Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Leaf-Cutter Ant, Cardiocondyla elegans (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Ecology, in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Khalid A E Eisawi*, Hong He and Tayyab Shaheena

Leaf-cutter ants are distinctive among fungus-farmers because they forage for fresh plant material to nurture the fungus. We investigate the foraging ecology of Cardiocondyla elegans (Forel) in DNP. We examined the species activity pattern, forage material collected, and the relationship between load mass and forager size. Ant activity peaked at night and was negatively related to temperature but positively related to relative air humidity. The majority of the items collected by ants were plant material: dry and fresh leaves, flowers, and fruits. Trunk trails ranged from 0.7 to 13 m and colony home ranged from 2 to 28 m2, indicating that ants collect material nearby the nest. Total load mass was positively associated with forager size, especially in the case of leaves. The negative relationship between ant size and burden suggests that ants might optimize their delivery rate by collecting lighter substrates more frequently. Given their pest status, most studies on leaf-cutters are undertaken in human-altered environments. Information on Cardiocondyla elegans in native DNP is imperative given the threatened status of this vegetation. Leaf-cutters thrive in disturbed DNP and severe seedling herbivory may hinder vegetation recovery. Our study may provide insights for management techniques of Cardiocondyla colonies in agroecosystems in DNP.

Published Date: 2021-01-27; Received Date: 0021-01-08