Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T02:47:18.188Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The distribution of the ant, Cataulacus Guineensis F. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in a Ghanaian cocoa farm*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Joseph Bekae Ackonor
Joseph Bekae Ackonor
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
Get access

Abstract

The spatial distribution of Cataulacus guineensis F. Smith in relation to shade regimes and also in relation to other ant species is investigated. It was found that the species prefers nesting in areas with continuous shade. It has a significant association with Oecophylla longinoda Latr. and also with Camponotus olivieri (Forel), but has non-significant association with Macromischoides aculeatus Mayr, Crematogaster depressa Latr. and Polyrhachis decemdentata Adre. The colony size of C. guineensis was also studied, and 1 to 3 nests were found to constitute any one colony. Abundance of nests and nest distribution in relation to shade regimes was examined. Observations on the insects in defending their nests are reported.

Keywords

Shade regimenests and coloniesabundanceassociation and non-associationdefencedistributionCataulacuscocoa-farmants
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 1 , Issue 3 , September 1981 , pp. 249 - 261
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Ackonor, J. B. (1977) The distribution, nesting habits and activity pattern of Cataulacus guineensis F. Smith (Hymenop: Formicidae) in a Ghanian cocoa farm. M.Sc. thesis, Zoology Department, University of Ghana, Legon.Google Scholar
Anipare, C. (1971) B.Sc. project, Department of Zoology, University of Ghana, Legon.Google Scholar
Aryeetey, E. A. (1971) The biology and ecology of Macromischoides aculeatus (Hymenop: Formicides) in cocoa farms in Ghana. M.Sc. thesis, Zoology Department, University of Ghana, Legon.Google Scholar
Bailey, N. T. J. (1959) Statistical Methods in Biology. English University Press, London.Google Scholar
Bolton, B. (1974) A revision of the palaeotropical arboreal ant genus Cataulacus F. Smith (Hymenop: Formicidae). Bull. Br. Mus. nat. Hist. B, 30, 1–105.Google Scholar
Dice, L. R. (1952) Natural Communities. University of Michigan Press, Michigan.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Forel, A. (1917) Cadre synoptique actuel de la faune universelle des formis. Bull. Soc. vaud. Sei. nat. Lausanne. 51, 229–253.Google Scholar
Hayashida, K. (1960) Studies on the ecological distribution of ants in Sapro and its vicinity. Insects Soc. 7, 125–162.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leston, D. (1968) Diurnal activity of Oecophylla tonginoda. Reports Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo, Ghana, 1965–1966, pp. 62–72.Google Scholar
Leston, D. (1970) Entomology of the cocoa farm. A. Rev. Ent. 15, 273–294.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leston, D. (1971) Ants, capaids and swollen shoot in Ghana: interactions and implications for pest control. Proceedings 3rd International Cocoa Research Conference, Accra, 1969, pp. 205–221.Google Scholar
Majer, J. D. (1972) The ant mosaic in Ghana cocoa farms. Bull. ent. Res. 62, 151–160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Majer, J. D. (1976a) The ant mosaic in Ghana cocoa farms: further structural considerations. J. appl. Ecol. 13, 145–155.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Majer, J. D. (1976b) The influence of ants and ant manipulation on the cocoa farm fauna. J. appl. Ecol. 13, 157–175.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Majer, J. D. (1976c) The maintenance of the ant mosaic in Ghana cocoa farms. J. appl. Ecol. 13, 123–144.Google Scholar
Room, P. M. (1971) The relative distribution of ant species in Ghana's cocoa farms. J. anim. Ecol. 40, 735–751.Google Scholar