Resumo

GUZMAN-MENDOZA, Rafael; ZAVALA-HURTADO, José Alejandro; CASTANO-MENESES, Gabriela  e  LEON-CORTES, Jorge Leonel. Comparison of the ant's fauna in a reforestation gradient on temperate forests of Central Western Mexico. Madera bosques [online]. 2014, vol.20, n.1, pp.71-83. ISSN 2448-7597.

Changes in diversity, species richness, abundance and similarity patterns of ants´ communities in different managed areas in Central Mexico were studied. Three areas located in the Northwest of the State of Mexico were selected: native trees area with Quercus spp. forest (AN), combination area with Quercus spp. forest and Cupressus lindleyi as reforestation species (ZC), and reforested area (R), an altered forest with C. lindleyi. A total of 288 pit-fall traps were placed from February to March 2009 in sets of four traps in random quadrants of 10 m2. The community composition and abundance shifted according to the site conditions. The values of richness and species diversity were higher in R in comparison with AN and ZC. The results suggest a relative effect of changes in floristic composition on ants' community. Species as Temnothorax sp. 1 and Crematogaster sp., were abundant in preserved forest areas. In contrast, Pheidole sp. 1, Liometopum apiculatum and Camponotus atriceps were relatively common in disturbed habitats.

Palavras-chave : Diversity; perturbation; trophic guilds; Formicidae.