Effect of disturbance on the ant community in a semiarid region of Central Mexico

Ants have been used as indicators of disturbiiiiance, because of their fast response to environmental changes. However, it is not well defined which disturbance factors are associated with specific changes on the ant community. We evaluated the effect of disturbance on the ant community in a xeric community from central Mexico. Two sites with contrasting levels of disturbance were chosen based on a quantitative index. We compared ant abundance, ant diversity and the main disturbance factors affecting the ant community. Also, we identified the bioindicator species of ants and the feeding guilds. Soil compaction and cattle paths were the most important factors of disturbance within the study sites. These factors probably affect the community of ants by preventing them from colonizing the surrounding vegetation as well as from nesting in the soil. Ant diversity was lower in the disturbed site than in the conserved one. Four ant species were identified as bioindicators of disturbance. Although functional diversity did not differ between sites, the guild of granivore ants was the most affected by soil compaction. This is of great importance because the foraging patterns of granivore ants determining the structure and other aspects of the plant community.