Posibles vias de expansión de la hormiga cortadora de hojas Acromyrmex lobicornis hacia la Patagonia
Acromyrmex lobicornis is the leaf-cutting ant species that reaches the southernmostlatitudes, but it has not been observed in humid Patagonia. The goal of this work was to determine the possible expansion routes of this species by analizying its presence in the region and its trophic preferences for the most common plant species ofthe area. Surveys of ant nests in different habitats and field “cafeteria” assays were performed. A. lobicornis was found exclusively in shrub steppes, specially those associated with river margins and road borders. Exotic plant species were preferred by this ant, specially Rosa eglanteria and Sarothamnus scoparius, typical of modified and urban habitats. Forest plant species were not strongly selected but were not rejected. I suggest that river margins and road borders could act as corridors for an eventual dispersal of A. lobicornis towards northwestern Patagonia, specially towards urban .settlements.
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
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Asociación Argentina de Ecología
1996
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| Online Access: | https://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/article/view/1660 |
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| Summary: | Acromyrmex lobicornis is the leaf-cutting ant species that reaches the southernmostlatitudes, but it has not been observed in humid Patagonia. The goal of this work was to determine the possible expansion routes of this species by analizying its presence in the region and its trophic preferences for the most common plant species ofthe area. Surveys of ant nests in different habitats and field “cafeteria” assays were performed. A. lobicornis was found exclusively in shrub steppes, specially those associated with river margins and road borders. Exotic plant species were preferred by this ant, specially Rosa eglanteria and Sarothamnus scoparius, typical of modified and urban habitats. Forest plant species were not strongly selected but were not rejected. I suggest that river margins and road borders could act as corridors for an eventual dispersal of A. lobicornis towards northwestern Patagonia, specially towards urban .settlements. |
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