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Ant mosaics in cocoa agroforestry systems of Southern Cameroon: influence of shade on the occurrence and spatial distribution of dominant ants

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Abstract

In African cocoa agroforestry systems, ants represent the most important part of arboreal arthropod biomass and play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning. The more abundant are supposed to be involved in crop pest regulation. However, the lack of knowledge about ecological interactions between ants and their habitat, including other ant species of the community, leaded to contradictory views on their efficiency as potential biological control agents. In the present study, we studied the impact of shade trees on the occurrence and spatial distribution of the most abundant ants of cocoa agroforestry systems of Southern Cameroon. We characterized shade of four traditional cocoa farms and described distribution patterns of numerically dominant ants through spatial analysis. Our results showed that the populations of the most abundant arboreal species, in our study Oecophylla longinoda, Tetramorium aculeatum, Crematogaster spp., Camponotus spp. were generally aggregated in plantations. However, the distribution structure of ant populations was variable between samples, suggesting that the normal development of ant colonies may interfere with ecological constraints like interspecific competition and abiotic factors. Distribution mapping as well as statistical analysis showed that highest densities of O. longinoda were sheltered by cocoa trees in the sunniest areas of plots. On the other hand, Crematogaster species were usually strongly aggregated in the most shaded areas. Mechanisms involved in ant/shade relationships were discussed and we suggested that a good management of shade may take into account ant communities, which could play a significant role in conservation biological control against cocoa pests.

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Acknowledgments

We thank farmers of Bokito, Obala and Ngomedzap for allowing us to carry out the present study in their cocoa farms. Field works were funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the REPARAC project. We are also grateful to Cyril Piou, for his help with statistical analysis and to the “Museum Royal d’Afrique Centrale” of Belgium that through a scientific visit gave the opportunity to Mr. Tadu to visit their collection and confirm ant identifications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Zéphirin Tadu, Champlain Djiéto-Lordon,  Yede, Edith Messop Youbi & Chantal Désirée Aléné

  2. Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Abraham Fomena

  3. UPR Bioagresseurs Analyse et Maîtrise du Risque, CIRAD, F-34398, Montpellier, France

    Régis Babin

  4. Coffee Pest Project, Plant Health Division, icipe, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Régis Babin

Authors
  1. Zéphirin Tadu
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  2. Champlain Djiéto-Lordon
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  3. Yede
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  4. Edith Messop Youbi
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  5. Chantal Désirée Aléné
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  6. Abraham Fomena
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  7. Régis Babin
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Correspondence to Régis Babin.

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Tadu, Z., Djiéto-Lordon, C., Yede et al. Ant mosaics in cocoa agroforestry systems of Southern Cameroon: influence of shade on the occurrence and spatial distribution of dominant ants. Agroforest Syst 88, 1067–1079 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-014-9676-7

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