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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) poses a significant threat to ecosystem
stability worldwide. In Mediterranean citrus ecosystems, its spread may be limited by interactions
with dominant native ant species. We conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the competitive
dynamics between Argentine ants and two major native species, Tapinoma nigerrimum and Lasius
grandis. At the individual level, both native species exhibited superior competitive performance,
attributed to their larger body sizes and potential differences in chemical defences. At the colony
level, T. nigerrimum demonstrated efficiency in interference competition, successfully defending food
resources from Argentine ants. However, the Argentine ant exhibited higher recruitment capacity,
albeit it was density-dependent. Our findings support the hypothesis that dominant native ants can
serve as barriers against Argentine ant invasion in citrus ecosystems, highlighting the importance of
interspecific competition in shaping community dynamics and invasive species management. This
study underscores the potential role of native ant species in mitigating the impacts of invasive ants
on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes, offering valuable
insights for invasive species management strategies in Mediterranean citrus ecosystems
Description
Keywords
dominance Formicidae interspecific competition Lasius grandis Mediterranean Tapinoma nigerrimum
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Zina, V.; Conde, S.; Branco, M.; Franco, J.C. Do dominant native ants outcompete the invasive Argentine ant in Mediterranean citrus ecosystems? A laboratory test. Insects 2024, 15, 333
Publisher
MDPI