Population dynamics and nest distribution of the ant Oecophylla smaragdina in relation to biodiversity conservation in Malaysian oil palm fields

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25660266
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Insect science
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: TSUJI Mizuki 琉球大学, 農学部, 教授 (20222135)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 総合的生物多様性管理 / 個体群動態 / 群集 / 害虫防除 / 社会性昆虫 / アリ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

PPopulation dynamics is fundamental when studying pest control and conservation of biodiversity. In ants empirical data on population dynamics are scanty due to difficulty coming from their eusociality and underground life. To breakthrough this we focus on Oecophylla. smaragdina population in oil palm plantations in Malaysia. By an extensive sampling of nests, we conclude that just multiplying the average worker number per nest, 6300+2460SE, and the total nest count is appropriate to estimate population density of workers. This is the first step for long-term monitoring of population dynamics of this ant in the field. Microsatellite DNA data suggest that the average intra-nest genetic relatedness was 0.49, with some portion of colonies being polygynous and/or polyandrous. The number of ant species nested in an oil palm tree was also monitored by cutting a few trees. Admittedly, future studies should develop a non-invasive methodology to relate the weaver ant density and biodiversity.

Free Research Field

昆虫生態学