Spatial pattern in arboreal ant community at Mfou suburban agglomeration around Yaoundé city, Cameroon

Ant community structure in natural and anthropogenic ecosystems depends on the combination of several factors not easy to elucidate according to the complexity of habitat structures and anthropogenic disturbances. We investigated the influence of tree distribution pattern on the spatial distribution of dominant ant species, and the spatial relationship between dominant and associated ant species in secondary forest, cocoa farms, and palm groves at Mfou around Yaoundé city. Nine plots of 30 × 30 m each were set up around the study area including three each from every habitat type. Each plot was mapped and the Cartesian coordinated of each tree was recorded. Ants were collected on the trees using a pitfall trap and visual catch. The spatial distribution pattern of the trees and numerical dominant species were analyzed using Besag’s function and spatial relationship between numerical dominant and associated ant species with pair correlation function. Trees distribution fits random models in cocoa farms and secondary forests, while in palm groves they fit regular models. Numerical dominant species also fit the same distribution pattern according to the distribution of the trees in the corresponding habitat. Spatial correlation analysis showed that the establishment of a positive or negative relationship between dominant and associated ant species depends on the distance which separates the nest of the colonies to the foraging area. Around the nest of the colonies, dominant ant species repulse all other ant species despite their territorial defensive behavior and created a safety cord intensively protected. Over this perimeter, the workers invest more in food searching than in the defense of territory and favor the establishment of a positive relationship.