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The ant mosaic in Ghana cocoa farms

1972; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 62; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0007485300047593

1475-2670

Jonathan Majer,

Insect-Plant Interactions and Control

The distribution of ants in a 2·25-ha cocoa plantation at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Station, Kade, was recorded in December 1970. The 44 species of ants found could be grouped as dominant, co-dominant, sub-dominant and nondominant. Oecophylla longinoda (Latr.) and Macromischoides aculeatus (Mayr) were mutually exclusive as were six Crematogaster spp.; the latter were also exclusive of O. longinoda and M. aculeatus . Camponotus acvapimensis Mayr became dominant under insolated conditions, and Platythyrea frontalis Emery for reasons unknown. The distribution of these ant species in cocoa plantations resembles a three-dimensional mosaic which is preserved by their aggressiveness and by competition for food and nesting sites. It is suggested that this mosaic is due to vegetative succession.