Ant Species Dynamics: Diurnal Patterns and Resource Utilization at RKMVC College and RKMBH Campus, Rahara, West Bengal, India

• Authors: Abhik Rong , Souvik Mazumdar , Dipanwita Das , Bulganin Mitra
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are pivotal ecosystem engineers, yet their ecological dynamics are less explored. This study investigated the diurnal and seasonal foraging patterns, and dietary preferences of ant communities in the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College (RKMVCC) and Ramakrishna Mission Boys' Home Campus (RKMBHC), Rahara, West Bengal, India, from October 2022 to March 2023. Using pitfall traps and hand collections across 8 microhabitats, data were collected during four daily intervals (8 am – 4 pm). A total of 15 ant species from 12 genera and 5 subfamilies were recorded, dominated by Formicinae and Myrmicinae. Temporal activity exhibited bimodal peaks in morning hours (8 am – 12 pm), with reduced afternoon activity and a marked decline in December, linked to cooler temperatures. Dietary experiments revealed a strong preference for fresh non-vegetarian resources (80% acceptance), while specialists like Tetraponera rufonigra displayed niche specificity (11% acceptance). Generalists such as Pheidole megacephala exploited all food categories, underscoring ecological plasticity. Seasonal shifts highlighted resilience, with post-December recovery in species richness, particularly in January and February months, driven by resource availability. This study underscores the adaptability of ants to urbanization and provides critical insights into their ecological roles in human-modified ecosystems. Future research should explore long-term climate impacts and interspecific interactions to inform conservation strategies in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Keywords

EN

Ants; Dietary preferences; Hymenoptera; Species richness; Temporal foraging patterns; urban ecosystem

Discipline

• ENVIRONMENT_&_ECOLOGY: ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

• Publisher: Scientific Publishing House „DARWIN”
• Journal: World News of Natural Sciences
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 60
• Pages: 1-12

Contributors

author

Abhik Rong

• Department of Zoology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College (Autonomous), Rahara, Khardaha, West Bengal – 700118, India

author

Souvik Mazumdar

• Zoological Survey of India, M-block, New Alipore, Kolkata – 700053, West Bengal, India

author

Dipanwita Das

• Zoological Survey of India, M-block, New Alipore, Kolkata – 700053, West Bengal, India

author

Bulganin Mitra

• Department of Zoology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College (Autonomous), Rahara, Khardaha, West Bengal – 700118, India

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• Document Type: article