Ant Diversity Patterns and Conservation Planning in Madagascar

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9319515 Ward This dissertation enhancement grant supports a U.S. graduate student, Brian Fisher, working under the guidance of Dr. Philip S. Ward, Professor of Entomology at the University of California/Davis,to survey the distribution and abundance of ants in tropical forest habitats in Madagascar, and compare the results to known patterns of vertebrate distribution. The aim of the project is to test the hypothesis that patterns of diversity, endemism and rarity of insects differ from those of birds and mammals, with insects showing greater between-site variation and local endemism. A primary objective is to develop standardized methods of assessing ant diversity that can be used in any tropical wet forest. The project will develop a database regarding the distribution of ants in the most biologically diverse region of Madagascar. Altitudinal ant surveys will be conducted at five sites in the eastern tropical wet forest of Madagascar. Species richness and abundance will be calculated for each elevation at each locality, and compared to those extracted from existing data bases for vertebrates. This information will allow estimates of the degree of protection the Malagasy invertebrate fauna receives in existing reserves. This study will illuminate a question fundamental to conservation biology: "Are 'indicator' taxa really indicators?" In the course of the project, young Malagasy biologists will be trained in inventory, curation and identification techniques. This study is being conducted in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature - Madagascar, and the Xerces Society. Augmenting the usual channels of publication in scientific journals, these two non-profit organizations will assist in diffusing the information collected to other scientists, conservation biologists, and government agencies in Madagascar. ***