Diversity and Community Structure of Ants in the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin, Coahuila, Mexico

Abstract

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are one of the most conspicuous invertebrates in the arid and semiarid ecosystems. Thanks to their diverse life strategies and high abundance, they take part in many interactions with other plants and animals and can considerably alter the local ecosystem. Here, we surveyed the ant assemblage of Churince in the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin (CCB) for the first time. We describe species diversity, community structure and habitat associations along an environmental gradient between the grasslands and gypsum dunes. The ant fauna in the CCB is typical of semi-desert areas, with several species shared with arid areas of Arizona and Texas. The ant communities are dominated by species from the genera Crematogaster, Myrmecocystus, Pogonomyrmex and Forelius. The unique environmental settings of the CCB allow the coexistence of several distinct ant communities in a relatively small area.