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Dissertation_RWR_Send.pdf (2.26 MB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
How Does An Invasive Ant,
Nylanderia fulva
, Affect Prairies?
Author Info
Reihart, Ryan William
ORCID® Identifier
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5708-4562
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton162670029447923
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2021, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), University of Dayton, Biology.
Abstract
Invasive species are a global threat that cause major ecological and economic harm, as they are a major contributor to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem function. Introduced ants becoming increasingly ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems and some of the most destructive invaders can extreme numerical densities, displace native ants and non-ant arthropods, and as a result, can alter the structure and function of natural ecosystems. A recent invader of emerging importance, the tawny crazy ant,
Nylanderia fulva
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is highly successful in coastal ecosystems in the Southeastern United States. We investigated the causes and consequences of invasion by
N. fulva
on coastal tallgrass prairies by determining: 1) diet, trophic position, and their potential to affect large, aboveground insects; 2) the effect of invasion on native above- and belowground insect communities; 3) the factors that limit
N. fulva
abundance; and 4) the mechanisms of
N. fulva
nutrient limitation and stress. In summary,
N. fulva
is an omnivorous ant that obtains most of its nitrogen from plants but has the capabilities to attack and kill large aboveground arthropods, like grasshoppers. In recently invaded habitats,
N. fulva
invaded areas were associated with lower native ant and grasshopper abundance, but these areas also contained greater abundances of hemipteran mutualists, which likely contribute to their extreme densities and success. Additionally, in litter communities,
N. fulva
numerically dominated the composition of litter-dwelling arthropods, and their abundance was limited by the availability of calcium but tended to be stressed by increased concentrations of potassium and sodium in the soil. Colonies of
N. fulva
that were fed diets with increased levels of calcium showed the ability to increase colony biomass. Based on these findings we show the great potential of this invasive ant to rapidly decrease the abundance and richness of native arthropods, which could have long-term negative impacts on native biodiversity, and show the factors that allow this invasive ant to reach numerical dominance in invaded ecosystems.
Committee
Chelse Prather, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Albert Burky , Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Karolyn Hansen , Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Ryan McEwan, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Kirsten Prior, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Pages
111 p.
Subject Headings
Biology
;
Ecology
;
Entomology
Keywords
invasive ant
;
tawny crazy ant
;
coastal tallgrass prairie
;
grassland
;
stable isotope
;
invasion front
;
nutrient limitation
;
macronutrient
;
micronutrient
;
calcium
;
sodium
;
Recommended Citations
Refworks
EndNote
RIS
Mendeley
Citations
Reihart, R. W. (2021).
How Does An Invasive Ant,
Nylanderia fulva
, Affect Prairies?
[Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton162670029447923
APA Style (7th edition)
Reihart, Ryan .
How Does An Invasive Ant,
Nylanderia fulva
, Affect Prairies? .
2021. University of Dayton, Doctoral dissertation.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton162670029447923.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Reihart, Ryan . "How Does An Invasive Ant,
Nylanderia fulva
, Affect Prairies? ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton162670029447923
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
dayton162670029447923
Download Count:
421
Copyright Info
© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.