A comparison of ant assemblages (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on serpentine and non-serpentine soils in northern California

Summary:

In northern California, ant assemblages in 8 sites in serpentine chaparral habitat were compared with those occurring in 8 chaparral sites on adjacent non-serpentine soils. A total of 27 species of ants was found: 22 species were collected in non-serpentine chaparral and 20 species in serpentine chaparral. Seven species were collected exclusively in non-serpentine, and 5 species were found only in serpentine habitats. A Formica species, conspecific with or closely related to F. xerophila, was found only in serpentine chaparral. Subsequent collections suggest that in northern California, this species is confined to serpentine outcrops. Two other species significantly differed in frequency of occurrence in each habit:Camponotus hyatti, C. cf. vicinus. Five species showed marginal significant differences in their relative abundance between habitats:Camponotus hyatti, C. cf. vicinus, Formica moki, Prenolepis imparis, Leptothorax nevadensis, Stenamma diecki.