Unit:
Department of BiologyLibrary of the School of Science
Author:
Tsipouridou Charoula
Supervisors info:
Αναστάσιος Λεγάκις, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Ζωικής Ποικιλότητας, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Χρήστος Γεωργιάδης, Εργαστηριακό Διδακτικό Προσωπικό - Ζωολόγος, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Βιογεωγραφική ανάλυση της μυρμηκοπανίδας (Υμενόπτερα: Formicidae) της δυτικής Κύπρου
Translated title:
Biogeographical analysis of the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in west Cyprus
Summary:
In this study we provide an update to the taxonomy of the ant fauna for Paphos region in western Cyprus using identification keys to the ant species recorded from this region as well as from adjacent areas (i.e. southern Turkey and Israel). Specimens were collected by using pitfall traps and by conducting direct sampling (hand collecting). They were analyzed based on morphological features targeting the workers caste. Our study resulted in the identification of 34 species in total, classified in 14 genera and 3 subfamilies. The most abundant species were Μonomorium bicolor, followed by the species Lepisiota frauenfeldi, Pheidole pallidula, Camponotus sanctus, Monomorium dentigerum and Cataglyphis aenescens. The highest number of species was detected in brushwood regions (phrygana), compared to the lowest one in pine forested regions. We report the first records for four ant species, namely Messor oertzeni, Messor ebeninus, Lasius umbratus and Monomorium dentigerum in Cyprus. This study is among the few conducted in the area of Paphos, validating the existence of the rich ant fauna of this Mediterranean island. Further studies will contribute to the zoogeography of ants and could reveal more endemic species and even new species to science.
Main subject category:
Science
Other subject categories:
Biology
Keywords:
ants, zoogeography, taxonomy, Formicidae, Cyprus
