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The distribution of the ant, Cataulacus Guineensis F. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in a Ghanaian cocoa farm*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Joseph Bekae Ackonor
Joseph Bekae Ackonor
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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Abstract

The spatial distribution of Cataulacus guineensis F. Smith in relation to shade regimes and also in relation to other ant species is investigated. It was found that the species prefers nesting in areas with continuous shade. It has a significant association with Oecophylla longinoda Latr. and also with Camponotus olivieri (Forel), but has non-significant association with Macromischoides aculeatus Mayr, Crematogaster depressa Latr. and Polyrhachis decemdentata Adre. The colony size of C. guineensis was also studied, and 1 to 3 nests were found to constitute any one colony. Abundance of nests and nest distribution in relation to shade regimes was examined. Observations on the insects in defending their nests are reported.

Keywords

Shade regimenests and coloniesabundanceassociation and non-associationdefencedistributionCataulacuscocoa-farmants
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 1 , Issue 3 , September 1981 , pp. 249 - 261
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1981

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References

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