The role of anthropogenic disturbance and invasion of yellow crazy ant in a recent decline of land crab population
Journal
Scientific reports
Journal Volume
11
Journal Issue
1
Date Issued
2021-06-10
Author(s)
Abstract
The yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes was first reported in Kenting National Park, Taiwan, in the 2000s, raising the concern of this invasive ant's potential effects on the native land crab populations. We investigated the distribution and abundance of A. gracilipes and its adverse effect on the land crab populations at four land crab hotspots within the park. Our survey results indicated that A. gracilipes was widespread and abundant at three of the study sites (Hsiangchiaowan, Shadao, and Natural Spring), while the distribution was much more confined at the fourth site (Houwan). Land crab populations experienced a notable decline at all the study sites except Houwan, indicating an inverse relationship between the population of land crabs and distribution/abundance of A. gracilipes. Combining the results of visual observations, the decline of land crab populations can be attributed, at least partially, to direct attacks by A. gracilipes on land crabs in their natural habitat and during the breeding migration season. Generalized additive model showed that worker abundance of this ant is associated with human disturbance levels, suggesting that anthropogenic disturbance may have contributed to the decline in land crab populations via promoting the abundance of A. gracilipes.
Subjects
ANOPLOLEPIS-GRACILIPES HYMENOPTERA; ARGENTINE ANT; BIRD-ISLAND; BRACHYURA SESARMIDAE; BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS; LINEPITHEMA HUMILE; ABIOTIC FACTORS; IMPACT; FORMICIDAE; HABITAT
SDGs
Publisher
NATURE RESEARCH
Type
journal article