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Utilización de Bosque Húmedo Premontano y Agroecosistemas Cafetaleros de Sombra por Hormigas Arrieras en Panama Occidental
Author(s) -
Roberts Dina L.,
Cooper Robert J.,
Petit Lisa J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.2000.98522.x
Subject(s) - panama , agroecosystem , ecology , geography , forestry , agroforestry , environmental science , biology , agriculture
Two species of Neotropical army ant, Eciton burchelli and Labidus praedator ( Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ecitoninae), are swarm‐raiding species that require large areas of habitat in which to hunt. Behavioral and distributional studies of these two species have been confined largely to humid lowland forest. We conducted intensive systematic area searches at elevations between 1200 and 1800 m in western Panama to assess the distribution of both species in intact premontane moist forest, shade coffee plantations, and sun coffee plantations. Both species were repeatedly observed in forest, shade coffee plantations close to forest, and shade coffee plantations distant from forest. Neither species was observed in sun coffee plantations. We believe that retention of certain forest‐like characteristics in the traditional shade coffee farm contributes to the persistence of these forest organisms in modified landscapes. Large canopy trees not only provide shade that buffers temperature extremes but also supply the ground layer with regular inputs of leaf litter and coarse woody debris from fallen trunks. Both E. burchelli and L. praedator hunt in leaf litter, and E. burchelli uses coarse woody debris as nesting sites ( bivouacs). There were significantly fewer potential bivouacs available in sun coffee plantations than in forest and shade coffee habitats. Also, litter depth was less in sun coffee than in forest and shade coffee. Our results provide the first evidence that shade coffee plantations can provide additional habitat for E. burchelli and L. praedator , top predators of the leaf litter arthropod community. E. burchelli and L. praedator act as critical links between swarm‐attendant bird species and leaf‐litter arthropods, providing an easily exploited food resource that would otherwise be unavailable for many birds. Continued conversion of shade coffee plantations to sun coffee plantations could have negative effects on army ants and associated biodiversity.