Biotic diversity interfaces with urbanization in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Abstract

[A total of 32,023 ants representing 46 species were detected; subfamilies with the greatest species richness were Formicinae (30 species) & Myrmicinae (13 species). The most frequently detected species were Formica sibylla (16% of sites), F. obscuripes (11%) & Camponotus modoc (9%). Species richness ranged from 3 to 20, & was greatest at intermediate levels of development (40% to 50%). A quadratic regression showed a significant relationship between ant species richness & development.]