A Field survey on ant species in four selected locations in Wellamadama premises of the University of Ruhuna.

Abstract

Ants are very common group of insects and constitute up to 20% of the animal biomass in tropical region. About 65 genera, 12 subfamilies and 210 species were recorded from Sri Lanka. Majority of ants belongs to the subfamily Myrmicinae and Formicinae. Ants play essential roles in ecosystem functioning by inhabiting in divers microhabitats. The objective of the present study is to identify the species of ants and their preferable habitats in four selected locations in Wellamadama premises of University of Rununa and the study was conducted from April to September year 2009. Four major locations (forest habitat, grassy habitat, indoor habitat and outdoor habitat) were selected in the study sites. Four sub sampling units in each location were used to collect data. Recorded each ant species was collected manually by a fine pointed (No. 1) paint brush. Shape of the head, thorax and abdomen, structure of the antenna and arrangement of hairs in the abdominal tip and number of nodes of ants were used for identification. Identified species were confirmed using taxonomic keys. The habitats of each ant species were recorded based on occurrence of their nests.