Effects of facultative mutualism between ants and lac insects on the diversity of ant communities
In order to reveal the effects of facultative mutualism between ants and lac insects on the diversity of canopy ant communities,a sight-seeking method was used to investigate ant community diversity on the tree,Dalbergia obtusifolia in different plots,with infestation rates of the lac insect,Kerria yunnanensis varying on branches between 60％,30％,10％ and 0％,respectively.The results showed that the facultative mutualism could increase the abundance and species richness of the canopy ant assembly,and also change the ant community structure.The amount of honeydew resulting from the presence of lac insect populations had a significant effect on the abundance of ant assembly,and on the community structure of canopy ants,but had no significant effect on ant species richness.Stage of lac insect life cycle was also an important factor affecting the abundance of canopy ants.It was concluded that lac insect cultivation can positively protect canopy ant assemblages and be beneficial to ant diversity conservation.
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