Nugroho Susetya Putra

Ants of Ambon Island – diversity survey and checklist

Abstract The present checklist of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Ambon is the first comprehensive overview of ant species recorded on the island during the last 150 years. The species list is based on literature and museum collections’ records combined with data from our field survey in 2010. In total, there are 74 ant species and subspecies representing 34 genera and six subfamilies known from Ambon. Five of the species found in undisturbed forest were exotic and indicate the overall habitat degradation on the island. The largest proportion of Ambon ant fauna are species with affinities to the Oriental region and species of Oriental-Austro-Melanesian origin. At least 20% of the species are regional endemics. In comparison to other islands in the region, the Ambon fauna seems more diverse and better sampled; however it is clear that a large part of it still remains to be described.

Kelimpahan dan Keragaman Semut dalam Hutan Lindung Sirimau Ambon

The experiment was conducted on dryland farming areas in the forest of Sirimau with three sampling methods are hand collecting, bait trap (bait sugar and tuna) and pitfall traps from July until September 2011. This study aims to determine the spread of ants on area of dry land agriculture. The study found 1 family, 4 genus and 19 species of ants with total of 14456 individuals. Species dominant are Anoplolepis gracilipes, Pheidole sp 1, Odontoponera denticulata, Pheidole megacephala, Technomyrmex albipes, Tetramorium simillimum, Tetramorium bicarinatum, Tapinoma melanocephalum, and Paratrechina longicornis. Ant species abundance reached 0.934 include on level of community stability. The spread of ants is influenced by light intensity, temperature, humidity, wind, water and season. Differences in micro temperature, climate, light, humidity, diet, interspecific competition, variations of food sources, habitat quality and human activities also affect the spread of ants in the area.