Impact of human dwellings on the distribution of the exotic Argentine ant: a case study in the Doñana National Park, Spain

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 115; no. 2; pp. 279 - 289
• Main Authors: Carpintero, Soledad, Reyes-López, Joaquı́n, Arias de Reyna, Luis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Doñana National Park; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Indigenous ants; Invasion; Linepithema humile; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; Spain; Vegetation and human influence; Europe; Spain; Doñana National Park; Linepithema humile; Vegetation and human influence; Indigenous ants; Invasion; Spain; Human; Formicidae; Introduced species; Insecta; Formicoidea; Dwelling building; Case study; National park; Spatial distribution; Arthropoda; Environment impact; Vegetation; Hymenoptera; Invertebrata; Aculeata; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(03)00147-2

The invasive Argentine ant
Linepithema humile was found in close perimeters to inhabited houses situated in various habitat types in Doñana National Park (Southern Spain). We suggest that the Argentine ant is found in these sites largely due to passive importation by man, but from there may have the potential to spread into surrounding favourable natural habitats. Ant species richness and diversity around houses was similar to that in natural habitats, except in the cases where the Argentine ant dominated, where a considerable lower ant species diversity and richness was observed. The species composition of ants in the immediate vicinity of houses was very different from that of the surrounding natural habitats, although the species composition between houses was very similar, regardless of the type of surrounding natural habitat. Ant species around houses were typically generalists, opportunists or open habitat specialists. Many of these species are considered dominant in that they are characterised by having large nests, aggressive behaviour and mass recruitment in response to attack. However, these species are displaced by the Argentine ant when introduced. Not all ant species show the same responses to invasions by the Argentine ant, and some species, such as
Cardiocondyla batesii,
Oxyopomyrmex saulcyi or
Cataglyphis floricola, may be able to persist for a period following an invasion of the Argentine ant. These species are characterised by small nests and submissive behaviour, and may survive by avoiding conflict with the invasive species.