Ant Study: Project Summary

Why is understanding habitat selection important?

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

General Characteristics of Invasive Species

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Is RIFA restricted to particular habitat types?

What are the habitat preferences for the different genera?

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