A survey of ants in Old Town Key West in Florida and a review of Pheidole megacephala as an archetypal “hegemonic” species

Citation: Sunjian, A (2018). A survey of ants in Old Town Key West in Florida and a review of Pheidole megacephala as an archetypal “hegemonic” species. The Pm Compendium (PMC). https://pheidolemegacephala.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-survey-of-ants-in-old-town-key-west.html

Abstract:

A two-day visual survey of Old Town Key West in Florida in May 2018 was conducted to determine the distribution of urban ants in this city. The census covered approximately 230 hectares and revealed that the area was partitioned into mutually exclusive territories by a Pheidole megacephala cluster on the northern end, and fire ant colonies (Solenopsis invicta and S. geminata) towards the south, although various other non-dominant species were also present. Only a single specimen of the formerly dominant Trichomyrmex destructor was collected during the survey, and its replacement in the city center is discussed within the context of a detailed review of the role of P. megacephala as a so-called “hegemonic species”.

PDF of Full Article:

A survey of ants in Old Town Key West in Florida and a review of Pheidole megacephala as an archetypal “hegemonic” species

Pheidole megacephala in Harare, Zimbabwe

Note Citation: Wetterer, JK (2018). Pheidole megacephala in Harare, Zimbabwe . The Pm Compendium (PMC). https://pheidolemegacephala.blogspot.com/2018/03/new-records-of-pheidole-megacephala-in.html

Dr. James Wetterer, whose research focuses on the distribution and ecology of invasive ant species, surveyed Harare in Zimbabwe, as well as the town of Kariba, and some points in between in 2012.

He noted that "at all sites in Harare and a nearby game reserve, Pheidole megacephala dominates and few other species are to be found. I don't even find other widespread tramps."

Click here for google map of P. megacephala samples.

A comprehensive survey and mapping of the Pheidole megacephala colony cluster in Bridgetown, Barbados

Citation: Sunjian, A (2018). A comprehensive survey and mapping of the Pheidole megacephala colony cluster  in Bridgetown, Barbados . The Pm Compendium (PMC). https://pheidolemegacephala.blogspot.com/2018/02/a-comprehensive-survey-and-mapping-of.html

ABSTRACT

A visual survey of the downtown area of Bridgetown Barbados in January 2018 revealed the presence of Pheidole megacephala. It was the most collected species during the study, and was the only dominant ant present in the location. A mapping of the current range of this colony “cluster” showed that it extended at least from the Pelican Village Craft Center on the west to Independence Square on the east, with the northernmost limit near the James Street Methodist Church, a combined area of approximately 21 hectares. The possible introduction of this species into Barbados via a major renovation to the city port facilities in 2002 is discussed.

Click below for complete article in PDF format (revision date 2018-02-19):

A comprehensive survey and mapping of the Pheidole megacephala Colony Cluster in Bridgetown, Barbados

A Survey of the Distribution of Pheidole megacephala and Linepithema humile in Ireland Island North in Bermuda

Citation: Sunjian, A (2017). A Survey of the Distribution of Pheidole megacephala and Linepithema humile in Ireland Island North in Bermuda. The Pm Compendium (PMC). https://pheidolemegacephala.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-survey-of-distribution-of-pheidole.html

Abstract

A survey of the locations of various ant populations in North Ireland Island in Bermuda revealed that the invasive Pheidole megacephala has continued to expand its territory at the expense of the equally invasive Linepithema humile, and has now become the dominant ant in this highly-disturbed area. However, pockets of the latter ant continue to exist, including a narrow corridor of territory cutting partly across the Royal Naval Dockyard from west to east.


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A Survey of the Distribution of Pheidole megacephala and Linepithema humile in North Ireland Island in Bermuda (pdf)

New records of P. megacephala in St. John's, US Virgin Islands

Pheidole megacephala has been reported from the US Virgin islands since the late 1800s. It shares the island group with various other exotic and invasive species, such as Solenopsis geminata, Solenopsis invicta, Wasmannia auropunctata, and Paratrechina longicornis.

In St. John's, Previous records of the species include:

Location: 18.324,-64.788
Location description: Great Cruz Bay, Hotel grounds
Collection date: 2005-11-13
Collector: Wetterer, J.

Location: 18.331, -64.795
Location description: Cruz Bay, downtown
Collection date: 2005-11-14
Collector: Wetterer, J.

Location: 18.348, -64.726
Location description: Carolina, 1 km up 20
Collection date: 2005-11-10
Collector: Wetterer, J.

Location: 18.352, -64.760
Location description: St John; Cinnamon Bay; moist beach
Collector: Pressick and Herbst 1973

Location: 18.317, -64.718
Location description: St John; Lamesaur; Croton-Acacia Scrub
Collector: Pressick and Herbst 1973

To the records above, the following records are being added:

Location: 18.35261, -64.76818
Location description: Trunk Bay Covered Picnic Area
Collection date: 2017-2

The ants formed trails along the sides of the covered cemented picnic area, as well as nearby areas, where their friable nest mounds are very easily noticed thrusting out from the ground.

Location: 18.32757, -64.79318
Location description: Car Ferry Parking Lot
Collection date: 2017-2

The ants formed trails along the sides of the parking lot leading up to the car ferry.

I surveyed parts of Cinnamon Bay, including the the beach itself and the grounds making up the Cinnamon Bay resort and Campground, and did not find P. megacephala in this area, although I did find another larger Pheidole species.

Author: A.R. Sunjian