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The ant mosaic in Ghana cocoa farms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

J. D. Majer
J. D. Majer
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Extract

The distribution of ants in a 2·25-ha cocoa plantation at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Station, Kade, was recorded in December 1970. The 44 species of ants found could be grouped as dominant, co-dominant, sub-dominant and nondominant. Oecophylla longinoda (Latr.) and Macromischoides aculeatus (Mayr) were mutually exclusive as were six Crematogaster spp.; the latter were also exclusive of O. longinoda and M. aculeatus. Camponotus acvapimensis Mayr became dominant under insolated conditions, and Platythyrea frontalis Emery for reasons unknown. The distribution of these ant species in cocoa plantations resembles a three-dimensional mosaic which is preserved by their aggressiveness and by competition for food and nesting sites. It is suggested that this mosaic is due to vegetative succession.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 62 , Issue 2 , November 1972 , pp. 151 - 160
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1972

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