DISTRIBUCIÓN ESPACIAL Y PERMANENCIA TEMPORAL DE HORMIGUEROS EN EL AGROSISTEMA DEL OLIVO EN GRANADA, ESPAÑA

Abstract

= Ant nests spatial distribution and temporary permanence in olive orchards at Granada, Spain. *[Ant nests were studied in 3 olive orchards under different agricultural managements located 20 km from Granada City. In each orchard, the area covered by 60 trees, six 10 trees contiguous rows, & five 100m long and 1m wide transects in the alleyways among the rows were monitored. Nest positions were assessed during May, July, & September 1997, & May 1998. The distance between ant nests was mapped in the 1997 months. Ant nests distribution was obtained with the distance to the nearest neighbor method. Results show regular nests distributions for the main ant species, Aphaenogaster senilis, Messor barbarus, Crematogaster auberti, Crematogaster sordidula, Solenopsis latro, Tetramorium semilaeve, Tapinoma nigerrima, Plagiolepis pygmaea, Cataglyphis rosenhaueri, & for all of the species in the orchards, but it may turn into a random distribution when the nest density is decreased. The intra-annual nest permanence indices were low (0.0% to 57%) & the inter-annual nests permanence indices were 0%. The nest renovation indices ranged from 0.0% to 100%. ]