Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a temperate ecosystem from La Malinche National Park, Mexico
Abstract
The formicofauna of temperate Mexican ecosystems have been studied poorly. The objective of this study was to document the number of ant species in the protected natural area of La Malinche National Park, which features a temperate ecosystem in central Mexico. Furthermore, this study serves to update the list of species for Tlaxcala State in this area of the country. During 2015 to 2016, samples were collected along six 400 m linear transects in oak forest and agricultural land (2,700, 2,800, and 2,900 masl), using pitfall traps, baits with either protein or sugar, and hand collection from plants (where ants were foraging for floral nectar, extrafloral nectar, or honeydew). Twenty-three ant species belonging to 14 genera, 11 tribes, and 4 subfamilies were collected in La Malinche National Park. One genus (Brachymyrmex Mayr [Hymenoptera: Formicidae]), 7 species in the park, and 5 species in Tlaxcala State were new collection records. In pitfall traps, 23 species were recorded, where Dorymyrmex insanus Buckley, Formica densiventris Viereck, Lasius mexicanus Wheeler, and Brachymyrmex musculus Forel (all Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were collected exclusively from agricultural land. Temnothorax brevispinosus MacKay and Stenamma huachucanum Smith (both Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were collected exclusively in the oak forest, whereas 17 species were recovered from both habitats. Nine species were recorded from either protein or sugar baits; Formica propatula Francoeur and Temnothorax texanus Wheeler (both Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were recorded only in tuna baits, and with the remainder of the species collected with tuna and honey. Seven ant species were recorded from hand collections on plants. We have increased the number of ant species in Tlaxcala State from 53 to 58 (28 of which are present in La Malinche National Park). This faunal survey demonstrated that there is a great diversity of ant species in this temperate ecosystem. It is urgent to document the diversity of formicofauna in these types of ecosystems because they may possibly be the first to be negatively affected by climate change.
Resumen
La formicofauna de los ecosistemas templados ha sido pobremente estudiada. El objetivo de este estudio fue documentar el número de especies de hormigas en el área natural protegida del Parque Nacional La Malinche, que cuenta con un ecosistema templado en el centro de México. Además, este estudio actualiza la lista de especies de hormigas para el Estado de Tlaxcala en esta área del país. Durante 2015 y 2016, las muestras fueron colectadas a lo largo de seis transectos lineales de 400 m en bosque de encino y campo de cultivo (2.700, 2.800, y 2.900 m sobre el nivel del mar), usando trampas pitfall, cebos con proteína o azúcar, y colecta manual sobre plantas (donde las hormigas estaban forrajeando néctar floral, néctar extrafloral, o honeydew). Veintitres especies de hormigas pertenecientes a 14 géneros, 11 tribus, y 4 subfamilias fueron colectadas en el Parque Nacional La Malinche. Un género (Brachymyrmex Mayr [Hymenoptera: Formicidae]), 7 especies en el Parque Nacional La Malinche, y 5 especies en el estado de Tlaxcala fueron nuevos registros. En trampas pitfall, 23 especies fueron colectadas, de éstas, Dorymyrmex insanus Buckley, Formica densiventris Viereck, Lasius mexicanus Wheeler, y B. musculus Forel (todas Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fueron exclusivamente colectadas del campo de cultivo. Temnothorax brevispinosus MacKay y Stenamma huachucanum Smith (ambas Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fueron exclusivamente colectadas en el bosque de encino, mientras que 17 especies se registraron en ambos hábitats. Nueve especies fueron colectadas con cebos de proteína o azúcar; Formica propatula Francoeur y Temnothorax texanus Wheeler (ambas Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fueron registradas solo en cebos de atún, y el resto de las especies fueron registradas en cebos de atún y miel. Siete especies fueron registradas a partir de la colecta manual sobre las plantas. Hemos incrementado el número de especies de hormigas conocidas en el estado de Tlaxcala de 53 a 58 (28 de las cuales están presentes en el Parque Nacional La Malinche). Este estudio de fauna demostró que hay una gran diversidad de especies de hormigas en este ecosistema templado. Es urgente documentar la diversidad de formicofauna en estos tipos de ecosistemas porque ésta puede ser posiblemente la primera en ser afectada negativamente por el cambio climático.
Key Words: Tlaxcala State; Formicinae; Myrmicinae; oak forest; agricultural land; protected natural area
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