Ant Diversity along an Elevational Gradient in Champadevi Hill,Central Nepal
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Zoology
Abstract
Nepal is characterised by high floral and faunal diversity but there are limited studies
about ants. The present study is aimed at exploring the ant diversity along an elevational
gradient (from 1450 m to 2452 m) in the north and south slopes of Champadevi hill,
central Nepal. Ant samples were collected by using pitfall traps and all-out-search
methods from spring to autumn in 2017. To find the determinant relationship between ant
species richness and environmental variables (elevation, seasons, aspect, disturbance and
vegetation canopy), a generalized linear model (GLM) with Poisson distribution and log
link function was used. Multivariate tests for the composition of ant communities were
carried using a unimodal technique known as Canonical Correspondence Analysis
(CCA). Six subfamilies and 33 genera were recorded from the study. Species richness
decreased with increasing elevation. The species richness was maximum during spring
season (n=12) than in autumn season (n=5) and it was higher in the northern aspect
(n=29) than the southern aspect (n=25). Ant composition was affected by elevation
(p=0.004), seasons (p=0.002) and aspect (p=0.002). Disturbance (p=0.054) and canopy
cover (p=0.180) do not show a significant effect on composition. Amblyopone and Ponera
were found as new genera to Nepal. The high diversity of ants in our study area showed
that the systematic study could lead to the recording of more species in Nepal.