ecology and distribution of an invasive ant species, the yellow

Ecology and Distribution of an Invasive Ant Species,

the Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes)

in Thailand

By

Ms. Sasitorn HasinDepartment of Forest BiologyFaculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University

Thesis CommitteeThesis Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Watanachai Tasen

Thesis Co-Advisor: Dr. Watana Sakchoowong

IntroductionAnts are social insects, classified in the familyFormicidae, order Hymenoptera

Ant diversityVaries among continents andbiogeographic regions.At present, there are more than12,500 described species in 290 generabelonging to 21 subfamilies.




Tropical areas and continental forests have thegreatest influence on presence of ant species diversitybut these areas are amongst the poorest known of antspecies.

They play important roles in various topics and have manypositive and negative impacts in forest ecosystem.

1. Ants are soil engineers.They modify soil physicaland chemical properties bytheir nesting and foragingactivities.

Ants are diverse and abundance in various ecosystems.

Positive impactsPositive impacts

1. Ants are soil engineers.They modify soil physicaland chemical properties bytheir nesting and foragingactivities.

Ant workers move soilparticles along a soil profilewhen they build undergroundand above ground nests.

Ant workers move soilparticles along a soil profilewhen they build undergroundand above ground nests.

2. Ants are plant seed dispersers.They carry seeds back to their nestand stored them in dry chambersnear the top of the underground nest.

Ant nest protects seedsfrom predators andprovides a condition forseedling growth.


3. Ants are bioindicators.Many studies showed the relationship between ant speciescomposition, diversity and abundance of individual specieswith ecosystem health and change of land-use situations (Adisand Albuquerque, 1989; Lavelle and Pashanasi , 1989) .

3. Ants are bioindicators.Many studies showed the relationship between ant speciescomposition, diversity and abundance of individual specieswith ecosystem health and change of land-use situations (Adisand Albuquerque, 1989; Lavelle and Pashanasi , 1989) .



Invasive ants are exotic species which establish colonyoutside their native ranges.

Negative impactsNegative impacts

Invasive ants can cause a decline and change in diversity,community and population of native invertebrates,vertebrates and plants by their invasion and displacement.


- mainly caused by invasive ants



Table 1 Check lists of major invasive ant species of the world(modified from Holway et al., 2002)

Ant speciesGeographical Range

Native Invasive species

Anoplolepis gracilipes(Yellow crazy ant)

Africa , TropicalAsia?

Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean,Indian and Pacific Ocean

Linepithema humile(Argentine ants)

South America Africa, Asia, North America, Atlanticand Pacific Ocean

Pheidole megacephala(Big-headed ant)

Pheidole megacephala(Big-headed ant)

Africa Australia, North and South America,Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Ocean

Solenopsis invicta(Fire ant)

South America Caribbean, North America

Solenopsis geminata(Tropical fire ant)

Central, North andSouth America

Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific andIndian Ocean

Wasmannia auropunctata(Little fire ant)

Central and SouthAmerica

Africa, Caribbean, Pacific Ocean,South and North America

Note: Red color species are found in Thailand. Origin of the yellow crazy ant is stillunclear whether from tropical Asia or not.

In Thailand, the yellow crazy ant has been considered todecrease diversity and population of native fauna and flora inecosystems due to its replacement.

In Thailand, the yellow crazy ant has been considered todecrease diversity and population of native fauna and flora inecosystems due to its replacement.

But information on its distribution is lacking.

More research is needed to investigate the impacts ofyellow crazy ant on native animals in various ecosystemsin Thailand.

More research is needed to investigate the impacts ofyellow crazy ant on native animals in various ecosystemsin Thailand.

To study the distribution of an invasive antspecies, the yellow crazy ant in Thailand.1

To investigate the influence of environmentalfactors on distribution of yellow crazy ant.2

ObjectivesObjectives

To assess the interactions between the yellowcrazy ant and other ant species.3

To evaluate the impact of the yellow crazy ant onCO2 efflux from soil in the dry evergreen forest ofSakaerat Environmental Research Station.

4

3. Soil temperature3. Soil temperature

Drip-Proof Type DigitalThermometerHOBO Pro v2

1. Relative Humidity1. Relative Humidity

2. Air temperatureand light intensity2. Air temperatureand light intensity

Data Logger

5. CO2 efflux from soils and ant nests5. CO2 efflux from soils and ant nests

Materials and Equipment

Field works

Commercialrespiration chamberMoisture sensor

4. Soil moisture content4. Soil moisture content 5. CO2 efflux from soils and ant nests5. CO2 efflux from soils and ant nests

Infrared gas analyzer

2. Laboratory works

Ant identification; insect pins,stereo microscope, antidentification keys, antspecimen in museums andpublished research references

Soil and leaf littermeasurement; hot air oven,paper bags, digital balance

Soil and leaf littermeasurement; hot air oven,paper bags, digital balance

SPSS for windows V 20.0.0 PAST: Paleontological statistics software package V 2.16

3. Data analysis

1. Distribution of invasive antspecies in Thailand

1. Distribution of invasive antspecies in Thailand

I will survey ants species in32 areas including 23 national

parks, 1 wildlife sanctuaries,3 plantations, 1agricultural lands,

Sakaerat EnvironmentalResearch Station and Bangkok.

Positions of these areas will berecorded by GPS.





MethodologyMethodology









Study areas

Each study area will be separated into two zones.Each study area will be separated into two zones.

FA

Forest Area or Public park Area inBangkok (FA)

Urban Area (UA)

UA

Pitfall traps will be buried inthe ground. Each trap consists of a 70 ml

plastic glass (8-10 cm indiameter) and half-filled withsoapy water.



Ant sampling, ants will be collected by pitfall traps andfood bait traps.

In each study site,twenty or thirty pitfalltraps will be placed 5 maway from each otherand left for 24 hours.

In each study site,twenty or thirty pitfalltraps will be placed 5 maway from each otherand left for 24 hours.



Food baits (FB) will be used toobserve ant diversity in urbanarea buildings.

Food baits (FB) will be used toobserve ant diversity in urbanarea buildings.

Food baits will beplaced on the groundby 5 m far from eachother, 30 traps perplace.


5m

5mFB

Food baits used are canned tuna and honey.



5m

5mFB

FB

All ant species found in each area will be mapped toknow their distribution.

Mapping

Sakaerat EnvironmentalResearch Station (SERS)Sakaerat EnvironmentalResearch Station (SERS)

2. Influence of environmental factors ondistribution of the yellow crazy ant

2. Influence of environmental factors ondistribution of the yellow crazy ant

Research will be conducted along 4-km section of the mainroad constructed within the SERSResearch will be conducted along 4-km section of the mainroad constructed within the SERS

2.1 Distribution of the yellow crazy ant along road construction

Mai

n ro

ad n

umbe

r 30

4

Main Roadin SERS

SVSV

Ant sampling; survey point (SV) will be established at the edgeof two sides of roadways, 20 m apart from each other, at least400 survey points.

Ant sampling; survey point (SV) will be established at the edgeof two sides of roadways, 20 m apart from each other, at least400 survey points.

Mai

n ro

ad n

umbe

r 30

4

4 KM4 KM

20 m20 m

At each survey point, line transects will be set inside theforest. On each transect, food baits will be placed on the groundsurface at 10 m intervals (at least 1,500 points in total).

At each survey point, line transects will be set inside theforest. On each transect, food baits will be placed on the groundsurface at 10 m intervals (at least 1,500 points in total).

10 m

SV

Abundance of all species in each distance point will besummed and used for mapping of ant distribution along theroad.

Abundance of all species in each distance point will besummed and used for mapping of ant distribution along theroad.

2.2 Distribution pattern of the yellow crazy antfrom the road into two forest types

Dry evergreen (DEF)Dry dipterocarp forest (DDF)

Three study plots,5080 m, will be

established for eachforest type

(Yellow marks).



(Yellow marks).



(Yellow marks).



(Yellow marks).

For each plot, five linetransects will be set upby 10 m far from eachother.

For each plot, five linetransects will be set upby 10 m far from eachother.

50m

80 m

10 m

Ants specimens will be collected by using food baitsAnts specimens will be collected by using food baits

30 cm

Second, ant speciessurrounding the baitswithin 30 cm will beobserved and counted fornumber of individuals.

First, food baits will beplaced on the ground alonga transect at 5 m intervals.Ants will be collected fromeach trap after placingthem for 30 minutes.

50 m

Environmental factors including surface and soil temperatures,soil and litter water contents will be measured.Environmental factors including surface and soil temperatures,soil and litter water contents will be measured.

Second, ant speciessurrounding the baitswithin 30 cm will beobserved and counted fornumber of individuals.

3. Interaction between the yellow crazy ant andthe other ant species

ID

Three plots, 5050 m, in the areas where the yellow crazy anthave been found for approximately 2 years will be selected asinvaded sites.

Three plots, 5050 m, in the areas where the yellow crazy anthave been found for approximately 2 years will be selected asinvaded sites.

The other three plots, 5050 m, where the yellow crazy anthave never been found and are located near the invaded siteswill be selected as un-invaded sites.

The other three plots, 5050 m, where the yellow crazy anthave never been found and are located near the invaded siteswill be selected as un-invaded sites.

3.1 Effects of the yellow crazy ant super-colony onthe nest abundance of other ant species

5x5 m

50 m

50 m

Number of ant nests,entrance holes anddistance among nestswill be counted andmeasured in 100quadrats (5x5 m).

Number of ant nests,entrance holes anddistance among nestswill be counted andmeasured in 100quadrats (5x5 m).

“ In this observation, position of ant nest entranceholes will be marked for continuing observation” .“ In this observation, position of ant nest entranceholes will be marked for continuing observation” .

core regioncore region

3.2 Impact of the yellow crazy ant on other ant species

Each super-colony will bedivided into three parts.To study ant diversity bypit fall traps, food baitsand litter sifting

Three super-colony ofyellow crazy ant will beused for set up theexperiment plots.

core region

inside regioninside region

outside regionoutside region

Each super-colony will bedivided into three parts.To study ant diversity bypit fall traps, food baitsand litter sifting

Environmental factors including Soil temperature, Leaf litterbiomass, Leaf litter and soil water ratio will be measured.Environmental factors including Soil temperature, Leaf litterbiomass, Leaf litter and soil water ratio will be measured.

4. To evaluate the impact of the yellow crazy ant onCO2 efflux in the dry evergreen forest

I will establish anexperimental plot (2 x 2 m)for each nest with theentrance hole as center (NH).Nest CO2 efflux will bemeasured.


Three nests of yellow crazy ant and three nests of otherdominant ant species will be used for measuring CO2 efflux.

SS

SS SSSS



Six points surrounding thecenter (SS) will be selectedfor soil CO2 efflux measuring.

Six points surrounding thecenter (SS) will be selectedfor soil CO2 efflux measuring.2 m

2 mSS

SSSS

SS

NH

SS

SS

SS

SS

Nest and soil CO2 efflux will be measured by usingcommercial respiration chamber and infrared gas analyzer .Nest and soil CO2 efflux will be measured by usingcommercial respiration chamber and infrared gas analyzer .

Soil temperature and moisture content at CO2 measuredpoint will be measured at each measurement point.Soil temperature and moisture content at CO2 measuredpoint will be measured at each measurement point.

Data Analysis

1. Diversity and community structure- Shannon’s index- Evenness- Similarity index- Abundance- Dominance indices

1. Diversity and community structure- Shannon’s index- Evenness- Similarity index- Abundance- Dominance indices

2. ANOVA will be performed to test the differenceof diversity and community structure andenvironment factors between/ among studysite or super colony region.

2. ANOVA will be performed to test the differenceof diversity and community structure andenvironment factors between/ among studysite or super colony region.

4. Linear regression analyses will be used to evaluatethe relationship between ant species richness andenvironment factor.


3. General linear model will be used to determinethe differences in average CO2 efflux andenvironmental factors between ant nest and soils.

3. General linear model will be used to determinethe differences in average CO2 efflux andenvironmental factors between ant nest and soils.

5. Correlations analysis will be used to analyse therelationship between CO2 efflux andenvironmental factors.

5. Correlations analysis will be used to analyse therelationship between CO2 efflux andenvironmental factors.



Details of activatesYear 1 and Month

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

1.Create research proposal2.Presurvey and methodology test

3. Field data collection and Laboratory work for eachobjective

To study the distribution of an invasive ant species , theyellow crazy ant in Thailand

To investigate the influence of environmental factors ondistribution of yellow crazy ant.

The details of activities are shown below during October 2011 to August 2014.

Timetable

To investigate the influence of environmental factors ondistribution of yellow crazy ant.

To assess the interactions between the yellow crazy antand other ant species

To evaluate the impact of the yellow crazy ant on CO2efflux from soil in the dry evergreen forest of SakaeratEnvironmental Research Station

4.Data analysis5. Writing paper for publish in the Journal.

6.Thesis writing

Remark 1 Year 2011Year 2012Year 2013Year 2014Year 2012to 2014

Anticipated benefits

1. Ant species diversity database of Thailand.1. Ant species diversity database of Thailand.

2. New information on ecological factors whichinfluences on distribution and abundance ofinvasive ant species, especially the yellow crazyant, and also its impact to other native antspecies.




3. This research will provide information andknowledge on management program of invasiveant species in Thailand.

3. This research will provide information andknowledge on management program of invasiveant species in Thailand.

Funding sources

Acknowledgements

I would like to thankAssist. Prof. Dr. Uthaiwan SangwanitAssist. Prof. Dr. Wattanachai TasenDr. Watana SakchoowongDr. Nisa LeksungnoenMr. Chattraphas Pongcharoen

I would like to thankAssist. Prof. Dr. Uthaiwan SangwanitAssist. Prof. Dr. Wattanachai TasenDr. Watana SakchoowongDr. Nisa LeksungnoenMr. Chattraphas Pongcharoen

Thank you very much for your attentionThank you very much for your attention

Photo by Yoshiaki Hashimoto

ecology and distribution of an invasive ant species, the yellow

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