The effects of anthropogenic disturbance and seasonality on the ant communities of Lang Tengah Island

Sze, Huei Yek and Taneswarry Sethu Pathy and Yin, Deniece Chia Yeo and Yew, Jason Seng Gan (2023) The effects of anthropogenic disturbance and seasonality on the ant communities of Lang Tengah Island. PeerJ. pp. 1-18. ISSN 2167-8359

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URL: https://peerj.com/articles/16157/

Abstract

Anthropogenic disturbances and seasonal changes significantly impact diversity and community composition of ants, but their effects are often intertwined. We investigated these drivers on Lang Tengah Island, a location with a pronounced monsoon season and three resorts that close during this period. We surveyed four sites, two disturbed and two undisturbed, before and after the monsoon season, using pitfall traps to sample epigaeic ant communities. Undisturbed habitats had higher species diversity, but both habitats (undisturbed and disturbed sites) have a high proportion of ants with characteristics of being encroached by generalist and invasive/tramp ant species. Post-monsoon sampling yielded an increase in species richness and diversity. Seasonal changes, such as monsoonal rains, can temporarily alter ant interactions and resource distribution, potentially maintaining diversity. Future studies should validate these findings for ant communities under similar pressures, using ant composition and functional roles for conservation and management purposes.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Monsoon, Invasive ants, Tramp ants, Malaysia, Hill numbers, Generalist, Specialist
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics > QC1-999 Physics > QC851-999 Meteorology. Climatology Including the earth's atmosphere Q Science > QL Zoology > QL1-991 Zoology > QL360-599.82 Invertebrates
Department:	INSTITUTE > Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation
Depositing User:	SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited:	26 Jan 2024 15:56
Last Modified:	26 Jan 2024 15:56
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38042

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