Preliminary Survey and Ecological Studies on Ant Fauna Diversity in Asir Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The study aimed to survey Ants fauna in Asir region, Kingdom Saudi Arabia. Results showed identification nineteen species they are (Camponotus aegyptiacus, Camponotus sericeus, Camponotus xerxes, Camponotus flavomarginatus, Cataglyphis albicans, Cataglyphis bicolor bicolor, Cataglyphis fortis, Cataglyphis niger, Lepisiota opaciventris, Paratrechina longicornis, Crematogaster aegyptiaca, Crematogaster senegalensis, Messor ebeninus, Monomorium carbonarium, Monomorium sp., Monomorium salomonis, Pheidole megacephala, Tetramorium sericeiventre and Tetramorium depressicepes) of nine genera they are (Camponotus, Cataglyphis, Lepisiota, Paratrechina, Crematogaster, Messor, Monomorium, Pheidole and Tetramorium) from different localities of Asir region. These species belonging two subfamilies they are Formicinae and Myrmicinae. These samples collected every two weeks for one year (Nov.2013- Oct. 2014). Diversity of Asir region ants in relation to elevation gradient reveals that the functional diversity peaked at mid-elevation in Asir region, The data generated reflects that the composition of species changes with accordance of environmental factors like temperature, humidity etc.; More ant individuals and species are found in the wetter parts of the elevation gradient rather than hot and dry areas. These results suggest astrong effects of environmental factors to control on ant diversity patterns in asir region of KSA. Genera like Cataglyphis, Camponotus, Crematogaster and Messor gradually dominate the ant fauna and are represented by maximum number of endemic species, with Myrmicinae most species subfamily followed by Formicinae. Maximum Relative abundance and distribution of ant species in Asir province observed in subfamily Formicinae (Cataglyphis bicolor) and subfamily Myrmicinae (Messor ebeninus). Some species were new record in Asir region, they are Camponotus aegyptiacus, Camponotus flavomarginatus, Camponotus sericeus, Camponotus xerxes, Cataglyphis bicolor bicolor, Cataglyphis fortis, Cataglyphis niger, Lepisiota opaciventris, Paratrechina longicornis, Crematogaster aegyptiaca, Crematogaster senegalensis, Monomorium sp., Monomorium carbonarium, and Monomorium salomonis.