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WSN 120(2) (2019) 81-110 EISSN 2392-2192

Ant Faunal Diversity of Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal,

Sumana Saha1,a, Tamoghna Roy1 and Dinendra Raychaudhuri2,b 1Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Barasat Government College, 10, K.N.C. Road, Barasat, Kolkata – 7000124, India 2IRDM Faculty Centre, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Narendrapur, Kolkata – 700103, India a,bE-mail address: [email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT The present study unfolds the diversity of of Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. A total of 22 species under 13 genera distributed over 5 subfamilies could be recorded. These include three newly recorded species namely Leisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr) (), Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni Forel (Myrmicinae) and Brachyponera nigrita Emery () from the state and nearly 90.5% of the reported species are new for the district (marked*). Analysis of their zoogeographical distribution reveals that the fauna apart from being Oriental also includes some Palaearctic (72.73%), Australian (13.63%) and Ethiopian (4.54%) elements. The dominant functional group is constituted by the Subordinate Camponotini (36.37%) followed by Generalized Myrmicinae (22.73%), Tropical Climate Specialist (13.63%), Specialist Predator (9.09%), Opportunist (9.09%) and Dominant Dolichorinae (9.09%). Ants are mostly prevalent during Monsoon (81.82%), followed by Postmonsoon (68.18%) and Premonsoon (50.00%). Two species namely Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (Fabricius) and Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) are recorded throughout the year. Ranking sequence of the most abundant species in descending order is: Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (15.01%) = Oecophylla smaragdina (15.01%) > Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni (12.91%). Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus and Oecophylla smaragdina are the most dominant species. Data also reveals that both core and buffer zones conjointly offer a better combination of habitat requirement, as 12 species are common in both the zones. Highest no. of species are recorded from leaf litter and ground combined together (22 species) and 6 species are arboreal in nature. Shannon’s Diversity Index (α diversity) and Simpson’s Diversity Index

( Received 11 January 2019; Accepted 03 February 2019; Date of Publication 04 February 2019 ) World Scientific News 120(2) (2019) 81-110

both are higher in buffer zone. This reflects the habitat exploitation efficiency of the encountered species. As per Jaccard Index (β diversity) the similarity value of both the zones is only 0.55.

Keywords: Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary, Fauna, New Record, Functional groups

1. INTRODUCTION

Ants are small sized invertebrates found all around the world, except the Polar Region. They are found in many different sizes and vary in colour depending on the species. Ants are one of the most abundant eusocial species found on the earth; have colonised almost all the available ecosystems; play major roles in structuring the ecosystems; aerate soil by digging burrows and galleries and depositing nutrients and are good decomposers. Ants take seeds into their tunnel and help seed dispersal. Ants are strong candidate for environmental monitoring (King et al., 1998; Peck, 1998). They form about 15-25 % of any terrestrial biomass (Schultz, 2000) due to their ability to modify the habitat, resource mobilisation and their well defined social organisation which renders a strong protection to their colony. Ants have been in use for the study of evolution of polyphenism (Bonasio, 2014), as tools in biological control (Beth & Drummond, 2011) and as bioindicator organisms on the health of an ecosystem (Andersen et. al. 2004). Such role of ants has prompted scientists all over the world to study in great detail the ecology and diversity of the group. Till date estimates suggest worldwide around 22,000 ant species of which nearly 14,000 (Ohio State University, 2017) have been identified. A total of 828 valid species and subspecies of ants belonging to 100 genera are listed from India (Bharti et al., 2016). This contributes about 6% of the total world species. Such a data prompt a thorough survey of ants at all the levels of biome. The present paper deals with the study of diversity of ants in a protected area Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India.

2. STUDY AREA

Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary (formerly Parmadan Forest) [Latitude: 23.1930o N & Longitude: 88.7734o E] is in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. It is located on the banks of Ichhamati River covering an area of 0.68 km2. The forest land is bounded on all its three sides (i.e. north, south and east) by Ichhamati river while the eastern side is bounded by rural settlements (namely Parmadan and Jhupa villages). Natural vegetation of this protected area comprises of a varied assemblage of deciduous and non-deciduous trees, while the undergrowth is thick and dense, comprising mostly ferns, tall grasses and bushes. Floral biodiversity of the study area comprise of about 209 species of angiosperms including 59 trees, 98 herbs, 34 shrubs, 15 climbers and 3 creepers (Talukdar and Sanyal 2013). Main trees of this forest are Terminalia arjuna, Albizia saman, Senna siamea, Morus sp., Bombax ceiba, and several species of bamboo. This forest is known to harbour more than 200 deer, birds, rabbit and a large number of langurs. The core area of the forest is fenced off and visitors are permitted to walk along the road by the fence. The climate is tropical, dry during winter (mid of November to mid-February) and humid during summer. Annual rainfall is 1,579 mm, temperature ranges between 41 °C (in

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May) and 10 °C (in January) and relative humidity lies between 50 % and 90 % (Talukdar & Sanyal, 2013) (Fig. 1 & 2).

Fig. 1. Study Area.

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Fig. 2. Study Area

3. MATERIALS & METHODS

Survey is conducted once a week during August, 2017 - July, 2018 within Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary. Sampling are being done by pit fall trap, hand picking, bush beating & using inverted umbrella (Fig. 3). Samples are killed and preserved in 70% alcohol as per recommendation of Raychaudhuri & Saha (2014). The materials are studied using Stereo Zoom Binocular Microscope, model Olympus SZX-16 (Fig. 4). The measurements are in millimeters, made with an eye piece graticule. Specimens are identified following Dutta (1988); Bhattacharjee (2009). Materials are in the deposition of Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Barasat Government College, Barasat, Kolkata, India.

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Using inverted umbrella Hand picking

Visual Search Pit fall Trap

Fig. 3. Collection methods

Fig. 4. Laboratory Work

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4. RESULTS - TAXONOMIC ACCOUNT

Order: Family: Formicidae Diagnosis: Pedicel present between thorax and abdomen; antennae elbowed with elongated scape.

Key to Subfamily

Subfamily: Ponerinae

Diagnosis: First gastral segment demarcated from the second by a constriction; sting present; antennal carinae widened anteriorly, more or less covering the bases of antennae; metapleural gland orifice in the lower posterior corner of metapleuron; third gastral segment of normal size and appearance.

Key to Genera:

1. Node of pedicel with 2 spines directed posteriorly; body variously, strongly striate…………………………………………………………….…...Diacamma Mayr - Node of pedicel differently spinose………………………..………………………….2 2. Mesometanotal suture obsolete or weakly marked; node of pedicel may or may not be toothed; body strongly developed………………….… Pseudoneoponera Donisthorpe

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- Mesometanotal suture distinct; metanotum strongly compressed and emarginated at the mesometanotal suture; body comparatively slender……………..Brachyponera Emery

Key to species of Diacamma Mayr

1. 1st gastral segment striate; pedicellar spines not continuous with pedicel margin; pedicel ventrally with a small tooth…………………...... Diacamma vagans (Smith)

- 1st gastral segment not striate; pedicellar spines continuous with pedicel margin; pedicel ventrally with an acute spine size 13-15 mm……….... Diacamma scalpratum (Smith)

1. Diacamma vagans (Smith)

Ponera vagans, Smith, 1860, J. Proc. Linn. Soc. 4: 103 Diacamma vagans (Smith), 1903, Bingham, Fauna Brit. India, Hym. 2: 81.

Material examined: 3 /1 / 1 , 26.8.2017/7.10.2017/19.8.2017, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: India (Assam, Maharashtra, Orissa, Sikkim, West Bengal [Burdwan, Darjeeling, Howrah, Hooghly, Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, Murshidabad, Nadia, N-24 Pgs., S-24-Pgs.], , Myanmar (Bingham 1903; Tiwari et al., 1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Anonymous, 2017).

2. Diacamma scalpratum (Smith)

Ponera scalprata, Smith, 1858, Cat. Hym. Brit. Mus. 6: 84. Diacamma scalpratum (Smith), Mayr, 1862, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien. 12: 718.

Material examined: 3 /1 /1 /4 /6 /1 /10 /2 /1 /1 /4 /12 /7 /4 , 4.11.2017/25.11.2017/2.12.2017/24.2.2018/1.4.2018/7.4.2018/14.4.2018/20.4.2018/12.5. 2018/19.5.2018/16.6.2018/23.6.2018/30.6.2018/7.7.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: Bangladesh, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Sikkim, West Bengal [Burdwan, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, *N -24 Pgs., S-24 Pgs.], Myanmar, Pakistan (Bingham 1903; Tiwari et al., 1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Bharti et al., 2016, Anonymous, 2017).

3. Pseudoneoponera rufipes (Jerdon)

Pachycondyla rufipes, Jerdon, 1851, Madras, J. Lit. Sci. 17: 102. Pseudoneoponera rufipes (Jerdon); Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014, Zootaxa 3817: 135.

Material examined: 1 /1 /2 /2 /2 /2 /1 , 4.11.2017/25.11.2017/ 14.4.2018/28.4.2018/19.5.2018/9.6.2018/16.6.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: , Hongkong, India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Orissa, Sikkim, Tripura, West

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Bengal [Darjeeling, Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, Nadia, *N- 24 Pgs.], Western India, India (from Kanara to Malabar), Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, , , Vietnam (Mathew, 2000; Tiwari et al., 1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009).

4. Brachyponera nigrita (Emery)

Brachyponera nigrita Emery, 1895, Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Giacomo Doria, 34: 459.

Material examined: 2 , BWLS, 7.10.2018, coll. T. Roy

Distribution: India (Assam, Haryana, Meghalaya, Punjab, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, West Bengal [*N-24 Pgs], Georgia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam (Datta, 1988; Bharti et al., 2016, Anonymous, 2017).

Subfamily: Formicinae

Diagnosis: Clypeus broad from front to back; portion of antennal socket margin and torulus closer to head; frontal carinae usually present; eyes usually present, only rarely vestigial or absent; antennae with 8-12 segments; gastral spiracle 2-5 concealed by posterior end of third segment; pygidium simple and large.

Key to Genera:

1. Antennae 11-segmented; propodeum bidentate or bituberculate; petiole dorsally bidentate or bispinose or with emergination…………………………… Lepisiota Mayr - Antennae 12-segmented…………………………………………………………...….2 2. Petiole armed with 2-6 teeth or spines; antero-lateral angles of pronotum toothed or spinose; propodeum bispinose or bidentate (rarely unarmed)…….... Smith - Petiole and propodeum unarmed; anterolateral pronotal angles neither toothed nor spinose………………………………………………………………………………….3 3. Mandible with apical tooth long, acute and crossing over at rest; mesonotum strongly constricted and in profile appearing as shaddle; palp formula 6, 4; pronotum with long collar …………………………………………………………………Oecophylla Smith - Mandible with apical tooth never as above; mesonotum never appear shaddle-shaped; palp formula 5, 4; pronotum without any such collar………………..Camponotus Mayr

5. Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr)

Hypoclinea frauenfeldi Mayr, 1855, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ver. Wien, 5: 378. Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr), 1992, Baroni Urbani, Bolton & Ward, Syst. Entomol. 17: 303.

Material examined: 2 /1 , 3.3.2018/19.5.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

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Distribution: Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Balearic Islands, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, India (Kashmir, Nagaland, West Bengal [*N-24 Pgs.]), Iran, Israel, Malta, Montenegro, Republic of Macedonia, Spain, Turkey, USSR (partly) (Datta, 1988; Anonymous, 2017).

Key to species of Polyrachis Smith

1. Thorax and pedicel armed with teeth and spines...... 2 Thorax unarmed; pedicel with 4 subequal spines...... Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) rastellata (Latreille) 2. Thorax more or less rounded above, sides not margined along their whole length…..…3 Thorax more or less flat above, sides margined along their whole length; pedicel armed with 4 spines, 2 long on upper angles and 2 short on sides…….... Polyrhachis (Myrma) illaudata Walker

3. Pronotum and metanotum with a long spine on each side; pubescence golden, erect and abundant; 3 small teeth between the 2 pedicellar spines…..… Polyrhachis (Myrmhopla) dives Smith Each of anterolateral angles of pronotum with a short tooth; metanotum without spines on each side; teeth between the pedicellar spines absent ...... Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) laevissima Smith

6. Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) rastellata (Latreille)

Polyrhachis rastellata Latreille, 1802, Hist. Nat., Forum: 130.

Material examined: 2 /1 /3 /10 /4 /5 /3 /2 , 19.8.2017/4.11.2017/ 25.11.2017/2.12.2017/14.4.2018/28.4.2018/19.5.2018/9.6.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: China, India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal [Jalpaiguri, *N-24 Pgs]), Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, , Sri Lanka, Thailand (Bingham, 1903; Datta, 1988; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Bharti et al., 2016, Anonymous, 2017).

7. Polyrhachis (Myrma) illaudata Walker

Polyrhachis illaudatus Walker, 1859, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 3(4): 373. Polyrhachis (Myrma) illaudata Walker; Donisthorpe, 1932, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 10(9): 576.

Material examined: 1 /2.12.2017, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution : Bangladesh, China, India (Andaman Island, Karnataka, Nagaland, Sikkim, West Bengal [Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, *N-24Pgs.]), Indonesia, Krakatau Islands, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Phillipines, Sri Lanka, Thailand (Datta, 1988; Tiwari, et al., 1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Anonymous, 2017).

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8. Polyrhachis (Myrmhopla) dives Smith

Polyrhachis dives Smith, 1857, J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. Zool. 2:64. Polyrhachis (Myrmhopla) dives Smith; Wheeler & Wheeler, 1953, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 46: 208.

Material examined: 2 /5 , 25.11.2017/2.12.2017, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution : Australia, Cambodia, China, Guam, India (Nagaland, West Bengal [Jalpaiguri, *N-24 Pgs.]), Indonesia, Japan, Krakatau Islands, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam (Bingham, 1903; Datta, 1988; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Anonymous, 2017).

9. Polyrachis (Cyrtomyrma) laveissima Smith

Polyrachis laveissima Smith, 1858, Cat. Hym. Brit. Mus. 6: 64. Polyrachis (Cyrtomyrma) laveissima Smith, Wheeler, 1919, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 63: 137.

Material examined: 1 , 19.8.2017, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Orissa, Sikkim, West Bengal [Jalpaiguri, *N-24 Pgs., S-24 Pgs.], Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand (Tiwari et al.,1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Bharti et al., 2016, Anonymous, 2017).

10. Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius)

Formica smaragdina Fabricius, 1775, Syst. Ent. 828. Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius), Smith, 1861, J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. Zool. 4 (suppl.); 101.

Material examined: 2 /1 /3 /1 /1 /5 /3 /2 /8 /10 /3 /2 /1 /1 /10 /12 /15 /3 /3 , 26.8.2017/11.9.2017/15.10.2017/4.11.2017/25.11.2017 /2.12.2017/ 24.1.2018/24.2.2018/3.3.2018/1.4.2018/7.4.2018/14.4.2018/19.5.2018/9.6.2018/16.6.2018/23. 6.2018/30.6.2018/7.7.2018/15.7.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal [Bankura, Darjeeling, Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, Murshidabad, *N-24gs., S-24 Pgs.] {Throughout India except desert and treeless areas}), Indonesia, Krakatau Islands, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand (Chapman & Capco, 1951; Datta, 1988; Tiwari et al., 1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Bharti et al., 2016; Anonymous, 2017).

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Key to species of Camponotus Mayr

1. Clypeus strongly carinate….………………………………………………………….2 Clypeus feebly carinate; scape extending little beyond the top of head; pedicel saddle shaped……………………..……….…. Camponotus (Myrmotarsus) misturus (Smith)

2. Body entirely black and finely reticulate; head rectangular; mandibles with 7 teeth; pedicel on its top with 2 hairs....Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (Fabricius) Body never entirely black; head trapezoidal; mandibles with 6 teeth; pedicel on its top with more than 2 hairs...... Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) buddhae Forel

11. Camponotus (Myrmotarsus) misturus (Smith)

Formica mistura Smith, 1857, J.Linn. Soc. Zool., 2 : 53. Camponotus misturus, Smith, 1863, Roger, Berl. Tnt. Zeit., 7 : 3. Camponotus (Myrmotarsus) misturus misturus (Smith), Forel, 1912, Mem. Soc. Ent. Belg. 20: 92.

Material examined: 5 /1 /1 /1 /2♂, 1♀, 3 /1 /1 , 4.11.2017/24.2.2017/ 1.4.2017/7.4.2017/12.5.2018/23.6.2018/15.7.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: India: (West Bengal [Jalpaiguri, *N -24-Pgs]), Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar (Karmaly & Narendran, 2006; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Anonymous, 2017).

12. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (Fabricius)

Formica compressa Fabricius, 1787, Mant. Ins. 1: 307. Camponotus compressa (Fabricius), Roger, 1863, Berl. Ent. Zeit. 7: 2 Camponotus compressus (Fabricius), Bingham, 1903, Faun. Brit. India, Hym. 2: 351. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (Fabricius), 1951, Checklist of the Ants of , Chapman & Capco: 244.

Material examined: 7 /6 /1 /1 /2 /4 /5 /8 /2 /2 /1 /14 /5 /2 /5 / 8 /1 /3 /1 /4 /4 , 19.8.2017/26.8.2017/10.9.2017/ 2.10.2017/7.10.2017/ 4.11.2017/2.12.2017/2.1.2018/24.2.2018/3.3.2018/1.4.2018/14.4.2018/28.4.2018/12.5.2018/ 19.5.2018/9.6.2018/16.6.2018/23.6.2018/30.6.2018/7.7.2018/15.7.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: Africa, Arabia, Bangladesh, Canary Islands, China, India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal [Bankura, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, Murshidabad, *N-24Pgs., S-24Pgs.], Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Russia (Datta, 1988; Tiwari et al., 1998; Karmaly & Narendran, 2006; Bhattacharjee, 2009, Bharti et al., 2016; Anonymous, 2017).

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13. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) buddhae Forel

Camponotus buddhae Forel, 1892, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. 7: 227.

Material examined: 8 /1 , 3.3.2018/12.5.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, West Bengal [Darjeeling, *N-24 Pgs.], Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Russia, Tibet, Turkey, Turkmenistan (Datta, 1988; Bharti et al., 2016; Anonymous, 2017).

Subfamily: Dolichoderinae

Diagnosis: Acidopore absent; gaster terminating in a transverse slit bounded by pygidium and hypopygidium; petiole one segmented, usually reduced.

Key to species of Dolichoderus Lund

1. Body covered with silky pubescence; clypeal hairs 5 on either side ……………. Dolichoderus (Hypoclinea) taprobanae (Smith)

2. Body without any such pubescence; clypeal hairs 2 on either side …………………….. Dolichodesus (Hypoclinea) affinis Emery

14. Dolichoderus (Hypoclinea) taprobanae (Smith)

Formica taprobane Smith, 1858, British Museum: 13. Dolichoderus taprobanae (Smith), Mayr, 1886, Verh. K-K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien, 36: 353.

Material examined: 1 , 9.6.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: China, India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim , Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Bengal [*N-24 Pgs]),), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam (Datta, 1988; Bharti et al., 2016; Anonymous, 2017).

15. Dolichodesus (Hypoclinea) affinis Emery

Dolichoderus affinis Emery, 1889, Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. xxvii, 508.

Material examined : 1 /1 /1 /3 , 2.10.2017/2.12.2017/19.5.2018/9.6.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: China, India (Assam, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, West Bengal [Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, *N-24 Pgs., S-24 Pgs.]), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam (Bingham, 1903; Chapman & Capco, 1951; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Bharti et al., 2016; Anonymous, 2017).

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Subfamily: Myrmicinae

Diagnosis: Pedicel exclusively two jointed; eyes and frontal lobes present; antennal sockets well-separated; pygidium unarmed; most genera polymorphic.

Key to Genera & Species

1. Antennae 7 jointed; antennal scrobes absent; promesonotum never fused to form a shield ……….……………………………………………………….Myrmicaria Saunders Antennae 10 -11 or 11-12 jointed……………………….……………….…………..….2

2. Postpetiole attached to the dorsum of gaster; gaster heart shaped... Crematogaster Lund Postpetiole never attached to the dorsum of gaster; gaster never heart shaped………...3

3. Antennae 11 jointed, antennal club 2 segmented; head remarkably large, promesonotum distinct, not shield like; head and thorax variously striate ….... …………… Carebara Westwood Antennae 12 jointed, antennal club 3 segmented; pronotum with prominent posterolateral tubercles……………………………………………. Pheidole Westwood

16. Myrmicaria brunnea Saunders

Myrmicaria brunnea Saunders, 1842, Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 3: 57.

Material examined: 3 /9 /9 /7 /3 /4 , 19.8.2017/7.10.2017/25.11.2017/ 2.12.2017/14.4.2018/19.5.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: Bangladesh, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, West Bengal [Darjeeling,*N-24 Pgs.]), Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam (Datta, 1988; Bharti et al., 2016; Anonymous, 2017).

17. Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni Forel

Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni Forel, 1902, Rev. Suisse Zool. 10: 204.

Material examined: 1 /2 /24 /3 /1 /30 /8 /5 , 26.8.2017/2.10.2017/ 24.2.2018/3.3.2018/28.4.2018/23.6.2018/30.6.2018/15.7.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: India (Haryana, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland, West Bengal [* N-24 Pgs.]), Myanmar (Datta, 1988; Bharti et al., 2016; Anonymous, 2017).

18. Carebara diversa (Jerdon)

Oecodoma diversus Jerdon, 1851, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci. 17: 109. Pheidologeton diversus (Jerdon), Bingham, 1903, Fauna Brit. India, Hym. 2: 164.

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Carebara diversa (Jerdon); Fischer et al., 2014. ZooKeys 438: 71.

Material examined: 1 /2 /4 /1 , 7.4.2018/14.4.2018/28.4.2018/19.5.2018

Distribution: India (Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Sikkim, West Bengal [Howrah, Kolkata, Jalpaiguri, *N- 24 Pgs]), Malaysia, Myanmar (Datta, 1988; Tiwari et al., 1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009).

Key to species of Pheidole Westwood

1. Head without mandibles rectangular, smooth; clypeal hairs on either side 3 ...... Pheidole nietneri Emery Head without mandibles oval, finely striate; clypeal hairs on either side ………………………..……………….Pheidole smythiesii Forel

19. Pheidole nietneri Emery

Pheidole nietneri Emery, 1901, Deutsch, ent. Zeitscr. 118.

Material examined: 2 /7 /4 /19 /9 /6 /2 /2 , 26.8.2017/2.10.2017/ 4.11.2017/3.3.2018/1.4.2018/7.4.2018/30.6.2018/15.7.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: China, India (Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, West Bengal [*N- 24 Pgs]), Myanmar, Sri Lanka (Datta, 1988; Anonymous, 2017).

20. Pheidole smythiesii Forel

Pheidole smythiesii Forel, 1902, Rev. Suisse Zool. 10: 165-249 (page 165, 185.

Material examined: 2 /1 /4 , 14.4.2018/24.8.2018/19.5.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: China, India (Meghalaya, Sikkim, West Bengal [Jalpaiguri, *N-24 Pgs]), Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam (Datta, 1988; Anonymous, 2017).

Subfamily: Pseudomyrmicinae

Diagnosis: Pedicel 2 jointed; ocelli often present; tibial spurs of mid and hind legs pectinate; psammophore absent; claws usually toothed; clypeus not projecting back between the frontal carinae.

Key to species of Tetraponera Smith

1. Body entirely black, body polished, shining, sparsely punctuate; ocelli absent; clypeus produced between antennal bases; anterolateral angles of pronotum not toothed; mandibles with 2 apical teeth…………………….…Tetraponera allaborans (Walker)

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2. Head, 2nd pedicellar segment and gaster dark brown; ocelli present; body roughly opaque with scattered, shallow punctures; clypeus not produced between antennal bases; anterolateral angles of pronotum toothed; mandibles with 5 teeth ……………………….....…Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon)

21. Tetraponera allaborans (Walker)

Pseudomyrma allaborans Walker, 1859, Ann. Mus. Nat. Hist., 4: 375. Sima allaborans (Walker), Bingham, 1903, Fauna. Brit. India, Hym. 2: 113. Tetraponera (Tetraponera) allaborans (Walker), 1951, Chapman & Capco, (Checklist Ants Asia), 1: 78. Tetraponera allaborans (Walker); Anonymous, 2017, Antwiki.

Material examined: 3 /3 /7 /4 /4 /2 /2 , 1.4.2018/14.4.2018/28.4.2018/ 19.5.2018/9.6.2018/16.6.2018/15.7.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Cambodia, China, India (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal [Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, *N-24 Pags), Indonesia, Krakatau Islands, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka Thailand, Vietnam (Chapman & Capco, 1951; Tiwari et al., 1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009, Bharti et al., 2016; Anonymous, 2017).

22. Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon)

Eciton rufonigra Jerdon, 1851, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., 17: 111. Sima rufonigra (Jerdon), Roger, 1863, Verz. Formic. 25. Tetraponera (Tetraponera) rufonigra (Jerdon), Chapman & Capco, (Checklist Ants Asia), 1: 173. Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon); Anonymous, 2017, Antwiki.

Material examined: 3 /2 /1 /4 /7 /3 /1 /1 /2 /6 /5 /2 /3 /12 , 7.10.2017/4.11.2017/25.11.2017/2.12.2017/1.4.2018/7.4.2018/28.4.2018/19.5.2018/9.6.2018/ 16.6.2018/23.6.2018/30.6.2018/7.7.2018/15.7.2018, BWLS, coll. T. Roy.

Distribution: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal [Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, N-24 Pgs., S-24-Pgs]), Indonesia, Krakatau Islands, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Island, Pakistan, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam (Chapman & Capco, 1951; Dutta, 1988, Tiwari et al., 1998; Bhattacharjee, 2009; Bharti et al., 2016, Anonymous, 2017).

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Table 1. Distribution of ant taxa recorded from Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary (Parmadan).

Distribution

Species

of Individuals

Subfamily

India World

No.

Functional Group

Seasonal

Zoogeographical

24 24

-

(Hypoclinea)

24 24 Pgs., S

[Darjeeling,

Emery

-

6

N

Pgs.]

*

OR, OR, PL

M, PsM

Dominant

affinis

, Karnataka, Manipur,

Dolichoderinae

Malaysia, Myanmar,

Philippines, Vietnam

Dolichoderus

West West Bengal

Jalpaiguri,

Assam

China, India,Indonesia, Laos,

1. .

Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim,

-

N

*

[

I. Dolichoderinae

, Laos,

(Smith)

1

M

Indonesia

OR, OR, PL

24 Pgs.]

Dominant

, Myanmar, Pakistan,

Lanka, Vietnam

Dolichoderinae

Sri

taprobanae

Meghalaya, Mizoram,

Dolichoderus (Hypoclinea)

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,

Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura,

Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala,

Andaman Nicobar & Islands,

Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &

2.

China, India,

Malaysia

Uttarakhand, Bengal West

,

24

-

N

*

Kyrgyzstan

9

Pgs.]

Forel

Turkmenistan

OR, OR, PL

PrM. M

Camponotus

Subordinate

Camponotini

II. Formicinae

3.

Arunachal Pradesh,

Nepal, Russia, Tibet,

Turkey,

India, Iran,

(Tanaemyrmex) buddhae

& Kashmir, Sikkim, West

Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Bengal [Darjeeling,

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Tamil

(Fabricius)

Myanmar,

24 24 Pgs.]

-

Malaysia,

at, Haryana, Himachal

Meghalaya, Mizoram,

, Canary, Islands, China,

Jalpaiguri, Kolkata,

24Pgs., S

-

86

N

ling,

*

Manipur,

ET, OR, PL

Subordinate

Camponotini

PrM, M, PsM

i, Goa, Gujar

Liechtenstein,

Bangladesh

Nepal, Philippines, Russia

Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka,

Murshidabad,

[Bankura, Darjee

Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus

Andaman and Nicobar ArunachalIslands, Pradesh,

Africa, Arabia,

Pradesh,

Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim,

India, Indonesia,

Kerala, Maharashtra,

Assam, Bihar, Delh

4.

Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand,Uttar Pradesh, Bengal West

Pgs]

-

s

24

-

N

*

16

OR

(Smith)

Myanmar

Camponotu

West West Bengal

PrM, M, PsM

5.

(Myrmotarsus) misturus [Jalpaiguri,

Subordinate Camponotini

India, Indonesia, Malaysia,

,

,

,

Iran,

Turkey

,

Bulgaria

,

(Mayr)

India,

Armenia

,

Montenegro

,

,

Spain

,

ta

3

Greece

Mal

24 Pgs.]

,

Albania

-

frauenfeldi

OR, OR, PL

PrM, M

N

*

Subordinate

[

Camponotini

Balearic Islands

USSR (partly)USSR

,

Georgia

,

Malagasy,

Leisiota

,

6.

Afghanistan,

Kashmir, Nagaland, Bengal West

Israel

Croatia

Azerbaijan

Republic of Macedonia

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24 Pgs.]

-

24gs., S

-

Lanka, Thailand

N

(Fabricius)

*

Sri

Myanmar, Nepal, New

,

,

86

Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana,

Malaysia

al [Bankura, Darjeeling, Howrah,

Specialist

Singapore

AS, OR, PL

,

PrM, M, PsM

Tropical Climate

, Laos,

Oecophylla smaragdina

Philippines

7.

Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,

Himachal Pradesh, JammuKashmir, & Jharkhand,

(Throughout India except desert and treeless areas)

Guinea,

Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia,

Pradesh, Assam, Bihar,

Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, Murshidabad,

Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh,

Krakatau Islands

Andaman Nicobar & Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal

Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Orissa, Punjab,

Uttarakhand, Beng West

-

N

*

Smith

24 24 Pgs.]

-

(Cyrtomyrma)

1

M

OR

Subordinate

Camponotini

laevissima

24 Pgs., S

Polyrachis

8.

Andaman Nicobar & Islands, Arunachal

Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand

Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Meghalaya,

Orissa, Sikkim, West Bengal [Jalpaiguri,

Bangladesh, CambodiaIndonesia, India, Laos,

s, s,

rastellata

Malaysia,

24 Pgs]

-

N

*

PsM

30

OR, OR, PL

M,

(Latreille)

(Cyrtomyrma)

Subordinate

Lanka, Thailand

Camponotini

Sri

[Jalpaiguri,

Andaman Nicobar & Island

Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur,

Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,

Polyrachis

Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Bengal West China, India,Indonesia,

Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines,

9.

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka,

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)

Myrma

(

Walker

1

24Pgs.]

PsM

-

OR, OR, PL

N

*

Subordinate

Camponotini

, Nepal, Phillipines, Sri

llaudata

Lanka, Thailand

I

Polyrachis

10.

Andaman Island, Karnataka,

Nagaland, BengalSikkim, West

Myanmar

[Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Nagaland,

Krakatau Islands, Laos, Malaysia,

Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia,

,

uam

,

G

Krakatau

Myanmar

,

Philippines

(Myrmhopla)

Smith

,

, Japan, 7

24 Pgs.]

PsM

Malaysia

-

N

, Thailand,, Vietnam

dives

* AS, OR, PL Subordinate

Camponotini

Guinea

Laos,

,

Indonesia

Polyrachis

New

11.

Singapore

India,

Islands

Nagaland, Bengal West [Jalpaiguri,

Australia, Cambodia, China,

24 Pgs]

Myanmar

-

Kerala,

Nagaland,

N

*

8

OR

PrM, M

(Jerdon)

Generalized

Myrmicinae

Carebara diversa

[Howrah, Kolkata,

Karnataka,

Sikkim, Bengal West

12.

Jalpaiguri,

Maharashtra,

India, Malaysia,

Forel

III. Myrmicinae

24 24 Pgs.]

-

N

74

OR

*

PrM, PsM

Crematogaster

Generalized

Myrmicinae

India, Myanmar

13.

Haryana, Karnataka,

Bengal [

(Acrocoelia) hodgsoni Meghalaya, Nagaland, West

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Bengal

-

24 Pgs.]

-

N

*

Lanka, Thailand,

35

OR, OR, PL

M, PsM

Vietnam

Saunders

Sri

China, India, Indonesia,

Generalized

Myrmicinae

Myrmicaria brunnea

al Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa,

Maharashtra, Manipur,

14.

[Darjeeling,

Uttarakhand, West

yanmar,

M

Bangladesh,

Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &

Arunach

Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala,

Meghalaya, Punjab, Sikkim, Nadu,Tamil

24 24 Pgs]

51

Lanka

-

Emery

OR, OR, PL

N

Sri

*

Generalized

Myrmicinae

[

Pheidole nietneri

PrM, M, PsM

15.

Meghalaya, Mizoram,

Nagaland, Bengal West

China, India, Myanmar,

24

-

N

*

7

ole smythiesii

Pgs]

Forel

OR, OR, PL

PrM, M

Generalized

Myrmicinae

Pheid

Thailand, Vietnam

China, India, Nepal,

16.

Meghalaya, Sikkim, West

Bengal [Jalpaiguri,

d, d,

24 Pgs]

-

N

*

2

PsM

OR, OR, PL

(Emery)

Predator

Vietnam

Specialist

IV. Ponerinae

Brachyponeranigrita

17.

West West Bengal [

Georgia, India, Indonesia,

Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand,

Assam, Haryana, Meghalaya,

Punjab, Sikkim, Uttarakhan

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24 Pgs.] 24

-

an, Darjeeling,

S

57

24 Pgs.,

OR

-

(Smith)

N

Opportunist

*

PrM, M, PsM

India, Myanmar, Pakistan

Diacamma scalpratum

18.

Jalpaiguri,

Banladesh,

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jammu &

Kashmir, Karnataka,Meghalaya, Kerala,

Sikkim, Bengal West [Burdw

Murshidabad,

ia Myanmar

24 Pgs.,

Pgs.]

-

-

5

OR

24

(Smith)

-

M, PsM

S

Opportunist

Diacamma vagans

Nadia, N

19.

India, Indones

Bengal [Burdwan, Howrah,Darjeeling,

Assam, Maharashtra, Orissa, Sikkim, West

Hooghly, Jalpaiguri, Kolkata,

24 24 Pgs.],

-

N

arjeeling,

*

am, Haryana,

(Jerdon)

[D

Lanka, Thailand,

r

rufipes

Kamataka, Kerala,

11

OR, OR, PL

Predato

M, PsM

Vietnam

Kolkata,Nadia,

Specialist

ra, Bengal West

India(from Kanara to Malabar)

Pseudoneoponera

Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Orissa,

20.

Jammu & Kashmir,

China, Hongkong, India, Indonesia Laos,

Sikkim, Tripu

Western India

Andaman and Nicobar Ass Islands,

Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore,Sri

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,

West West ,

24 Pags]

-

Lanka

(Walker)

N

*

Malaysia

Sri

New Guinea

Laos,

Vietnam

,

,

25

PrM, M

Singapore,

desh, Uttarakhand,

Specialist

,

AS, OR, PL

Tropical Climate

Thailand

Tetraponeraallaborans

Myanmar, Nepal,

Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium,

Philippines

Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Krakatau Islands

Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia,

Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh,

21.

Assam, Delhi, Goa, Haryana,Himachal

Nadu, Uttar Pra

Pradesh, Jammu Karnataka,& Kashmir,

Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil

Bengal [Jalpaiguri, Kolkata,

,

Lanka,

, Kolkata,

Malaysia,

V. Pseudomyrmicinae

Meghalaya,

(Jerdon)

m, Bihar, Delhi,

Uttar Pradesh,

Laos, Laos,

Pgs]

- ,

Jalpaiguri

24

-

, Singapore, Sri

52

OR, OR, PL

M, PsM

Specialist

tau Islands

24 Pgs., S

& Nicobar& Islands, Andhra

Tropical Climate

-

Thailand, Vietnam

West BengalWest

N Seychelles

Nepal, Nepal, NicobarIsland, Pakistan,

Kraka

Haryana, Himachal Pradfesh, Jammu

Tamil Nadu,Tripura,

Tetraponera rufonigra

22.

Andaman

Myanmar,

Pradesh Maharashtra, Manipur,

Sikkim,

Indonesia,

Bangladesh, Bhutan, China,Cambodia, India,

Philippines,

Uttarakhand,

Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan

Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh,Assa

Goa, Gujarat,

& Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Legends: * New record; AS: Australian, ET: Ethiopian, OR: Oriental, PL: Palaearctic, PrM: Premonsoon, M: Monsoon, PsM: Postmonsoon

5. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS

We could record a total of 22 species under 13 genera distributed over 5 subfamilies (Table: 1) from the study area. Weekly survey was made during the period August, 2017 –July, 2018. These include three newly recorded species namely Leisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr) (Formicinae), Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni Forel (Myrmicinae) and Brachyponera nigrita Emery (Ponerinae) from the state and nearly 90.5% of the reported species are new for the district (marked *). Analysis of their zoogeographical distribution reveals that the fauna apart from being Oriental also includes some Palaearctic (72.73%), Australian (13.63%) and Ethiopian (4.54%) elements (Fig. 5). The dominant functional group is constituted by the Subordinate Camponotini (36.37%) followed by Generalized Myrmicinae (22.73%), Tropical Climate Specialist (13.63%), Specialist Predator (9.09%), Opportunist (9.09%) and Dominant Dolichorinae (9.09%) (Fig. 6).

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Fig. 5. Zoogeographical Distribution (%) of Ant Taxa Trapped from the Study Area

Fig. 6. Functional Groups of Ant Taxa Recorded from the Study Area

Fig. 7. Seasonal Distribution (%) of Ant Taxa Trapped from the Study Area

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Fig. 8. Monthly occurrence of Ant Taxa

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Ants are mostly prevalent during Monsoon (81.82%), followed by Postmonsoon (68.18%) and Premonsoon (50.00%) (Fig. 7). Two species namely Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (Fabricius) and Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) are recorded throughout the year (Fig. 8). Ranking sequence of the most abundant species in descending order are: Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (15.01%) = Oecophylla smaragdina (15.01%) > Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni (12.91%) > Diacamma scalpratum (9.94%) > Tetraponera rufonigra (9.07%) > Pheidole nietneri (8.90%). Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus and Oecophylla smaragdina are the most dominant species. Analysis of the records also reveals that core zone and buffer zone together offer a better combination of habitat requirement, as 12 species are common in both the zones (Table : 2). Habitat analysis reveals that the leaf litter and ground dweller ants (16 species) combined together offer better combination. Highest no. of species are recorded from leaf litter and ground (22 species) and 6 species are arboreal in nature (Table 3). Out of a total of 573 individuals, a large no. of ants are encountered in buffer zone (374) than core zone (199) of the forest during entire study period. Analysis of α diversity shows that Shannon’s Diversity Index and Simpson’s Diversity Index both are higher in buffer zone. This reflects on the difference in the efficiency of different ant species to efficiently use the zones. As per Jaccard Index (β diversity) the similarity value of both the zones is only 0.55 (Table 4). Present study is the first scientific documentation of ant assemblage of this protected area and will serve as a baseline data for future ant faunal research, as well as will be useful in the preparation of Peoples’ Biodiversity Register (PBR) of this area.

Table 2. Ant species encountered in different forest zones

BUFFER CORE SUBFAMILY SPECIES ZONE ZONE

1. Dolichodesus (Hypoclinea) affinis √ x Emery 1. Dolichoderinae 2. Dolichoderus (Hypoclinea) √ x taprobanae (Smith) 3. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) √ x buddhae Forel 4. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) √ √ compressus (Fabricius) 5. Camponotus (Myrmotarsus) √ √ misturus (Smith) 2. Formicinae 6. Leisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr) √ x

7. Oecophylla smaragdina √ √ (Fabricius) 8. Polyrachis (Cyrtomyrma) √ x laveissima Smith

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9. Polyrhachis (Myrmhopla) affinis √ x Smith 10. Polyrhachis (Myrma) illaudata √ x Walker 11. Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) √ √ rastellata Latreille

12. Carebara diversa (Jerdon) √ √

13. Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) √ √ hodgsoni Forel

3. Myrmicinae 14. Myrmicaria brunnea Saunders √ √

15. Pheidole nietneri Emery √ √

16. Pheidole smythiesii Forel √ x

17. Brachyponera nigrita Emery √ x

18. Diacamma scalpratum (Smith) √ √ 4. Ponerinae 19. Diacamma vagans (Smith) √ √

20. Pseudoneoponera rufipes (Jerdon) √ x

21. Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon) √ √ 5. Pseudomyrmicinae 22. Tetraponera allaborans (Walker) √ √

Table 3. Ant species encountered in different forest zones.

LEAF GROUND ARBOREAL SUBFAMILY SPECIES LITTER DWELLER 1. Dolichodesus (Hypoclinea) √ √ √ affinis Emery 1. Dolichoderinae 2. Dolichoderus (Hypoclinea) √ √ √ taprobanae (Smith) 3. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) 2. Formicinae x √ √ buddhae Forel

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4. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) x √ √ compressus (Fabricius) 5. Camponotus (Myrmotarsus) x √ √ misturus (Smith)

6. Leisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr) x √ √

7. Oecophylla smaragdina √ √ √ (Fabricius) 8. Polyrachis (Cyrtomyrma) x √ √ laveissima Smith 9. Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) x √ √ rastellata Latreille 10. Polyrhachis (Myrma) illaudata x √ √ Walker 11. Polyrhachis (Myrmhopla) x √ √ dives Smith

12. Carebara diversa (Jerdon) x √ √

13. Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) √ √ √ hodgsoni Forel 14. Myrmicaria brunnea 3. Myrmicinae x √ √ Saunders

15. Pheidole nietneri Emery x √ √

16. Pheidole smythiesii Forel x √ √

17. Brachyponera nigrita Emery x √ √

18. Diacamma scalpratum x √ √ (Smith) 4. Ponerinae 19. Diacamma vagans (Smith) x √ √

20. Pseudoneoponera rufipes x √ √ (Jerdon) 21. Tetraponera rufonigra √ √ √ (Jerdon) 5. Pseudomyrmicinae 22. Tetraponera allaborans √ √ √ (Walker)

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Table 4. Different diversity indices

Different Simpson’s Shannon’s Total number of Jaccard index zones diversity diversity index individuals index

Buffer 0.92 2.65 374 zone 0.55 Core 0.86 2.11 199 zone

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors express sincere gratitude to The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and the Dean, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, the Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur and The Principal, Barasat Government College for necessary logistic support.

References

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