Diversity of ant assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in an urban environment in Cameroon during and after colonization of the area by Wasmannia auropunctata

Abstract

According to Holway et al. (2002), six ants are recognized as the most widespread and damaging invasive species: Anoplopepis gracilipes (yellow crazy ant), Linepithelma humile (Argentine ant), Pheidole megacephala (African bigheaded ant), Solenopsis invicta (red imported fi re ant), Solenopsis geminata (tropical fi re ant) and Wasmannia auropunctata (little fi re ant). Wasmannia auropunctata Roger, 1893 is one of the most harmful invasive species in the world (Wetterer & Porter, 2003). Native to Central and South America, W. auropunctata has been introduced throughout the West Indies, Australia, Israel, Italy, Pacifi c islands groups and West Africa (Wetterer, 2013). In Cameroon, W. auropunctata was fi rst reported in cocoa plantations along the Kribi-Ebolowa road (de Miré, 1969). Since then, it has successfully spread into southern and eastern Cameroon (Tindo et al., 2012), where it has severely reduced the abundance and richness of native ant species (Mbenoun et al., 2017). The invasive success of exotic species can vary substantially over time from population explosions to population

Invasive alien insects represent a clear but variable threat to biodiversity

“…Long-term observations may also reveal, for example, boom-bust population dynamics that can influence the management strategies for the species, as well as a potential mismatch between an impact severity score and the ongoing and ultimate environmental impact of an invasive species ( Strayer et al., 2017 ). Such dynamics have been observed in insects, particularly in invasive ants ( Cooling and Hoffmann, 2015 ; Cooling et al., 2018 ; Lester and Gruber, 2016 ; Mbenoun Masse et al., 2019 ). Another consideration is the different methods employed to determine the effect of invasive species on the native environment.…”

Invasive alien insects represent a clear but variable threat to biodiversity

“…Related to long-term observations, boom-bust dynamics are one example of a phenomenon that can influence the ultimate impact of an invasive species on its recipient environment, as well as influencing potential management strategies [102]. Such dynamics have been observed in insects, particularly in invasive ants [103-106]. Another consideration is the different approaches researchers have employed to determine the effect of invasive species on the native environment.…”

Effects of the Invasive Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) on Ant Community Composition on UF Campus

“…There were low numbers of individuals of other species present in samples containing LFA, as other species have a difficult time competing with dense populations of this invasive ant (Clark et al, 1982). It has been suggested that Pheidole species play a role in limiting LFA population sizes in both native and invaded ranges, such as Cameroon (Le Breton et al, 2003;Mbenoun Masse et al, 2019). Alternatively, the presence of LFA in a New Caledonian rainforest led to the extinctions of Pheidole species along with all other native species in the sampled area (Le Breton et al, 2003).…”