ant study: project summary. why is understanding habitat selection important?

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Ant Study: Project Summary

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Page 1: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Ant Study: Project Summary

Page 2: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Page 3: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) Current distribution in the U.S.

Page 4: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?
Page 5: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

General Characteristics of Invasive Species

• High reproductive potential• Highly competitive for resources (aggressive)• Habitat generalists• Lack biotic control (predators)

Page 6: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Hypotheses

–1. I hypothesize that RIFA will/will not be present in all habitat types• ~RIFA (is/is not) a habitat generalist

–2. I hypothesize that RIFA will/will not prefer a habitat type• ~RIFA (does/does not) have habitat preferences

Page 7: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Research Project

• Broad research question: Are different ant species selecting for different habitat types around campus?

• Narrow research questions: Is RIFA restricted to particular habitats, and does RIFA prefer particular habitats

• Applied interest: Eliminate RIFA from campus while minimizing pesticide distribution

Page 8: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Research Project Steps

1. Sampled ants in different habitat types2. Processed samples

– Dried ants and transferred to new bags– Counted ants– Identified ants

3. Analyzed data4. Reported findings

Page 9: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?
Page 10: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Methods: Ant Sampling

• Sampled 6 habitat types– Samples ranged from 15 to 24; total = 120

• Sampled ants using a standard method:– ½ Vienna sausage placed in petri dish– Traps set for 25 minutes

• Each student chose a location to sample– Typically >10 m from the nearest trap

• Samples placed in individual bags– Name, class, and GPS coordinates recorded

Page 11: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Methods: Counting and Identification

• Used a stereo dissecting microscope to count and identify ants

• Counted total number of ants in each sample– Calculated mean of 2 independent counts per

sample

• Identified ants to genus using a dichotomous key

Page 12: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

This map goes in the paper, not the map shown earlier in the presentation

Figure 1. Aerial image ofthe San Marcos High School campus, San Marcos, Texas, USA, with ant sampling locations in 6 habitat types delineated.

Page 13: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Figure 2. Total captures of 4 ant genera during a study investigating ant habitat preferences on the San Marcos High School campus, San Marcos, Texas, USA, in fall 2011.

Page 14: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Figure 3. Total captures of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; A), Monomoriumspp. (B), Myrmecocystus spp. (C), and Pheidole spp. (D) in 6 habitat types on the San Marcos High School campus, San Marcos, Texas, USA, sampled in fall 2011.

Page 15: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Is RIFA restricted to particular habitat types?

Page 16: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

What are the habitat preferences for the different genera?

Page 17: Ant Study: Project Summary. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

Paper Materials

• Go to: http://djbresearch.net/• Click on “Links” tab• Download:

– Paper template– This presentation (NSF PFW Ants- Project Review)– Scientific papers for background information

• Cite at least 2 papers