Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species diversity in secondary forest and three agricultural land uses of the Colombian Pacific Coast

The study area pertains to the Chocó Biogeography, one of most biodiverse areas in world, where around 40,000 ha rainforest has been cleared for oil palm plantations. We surveyed ant species’ richness and diversity four differently disturbed Tumaco, Colombia, using pitfall traps Winkler sacks. Study sites were two plantations three- seven- years’ existence, a peach plantation Bactris gasipaes 20 years, an secondary forest 10 years. A total 93 species or morphospecies, comprising 31 genera 8 subfamilies identified. subfamily Myrmicinae had highest number (57), followed by Ponerinae (10) Formicinae (9). hybrid harbored 46 (7 years) 50 (3 years), respectively, while was composed 53 species, 62 species. Ectatomma ruidum dominant plots (≥ 80% specimen), but significantly less forest. species-rich Pheidole spp. (23) Solenopsis (13). No differences observed between palm, contrasting with significant areas. comparison studies natural suggests that monocultures have dramatically reduced ten years recovery does not bring back anything close original diversity.