Honduran cloud forest holds unexpected ant diversity
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Researchers surveyed ants within Cusuco National Park in northwestern Honduras, identifying 162 ant species and creating the first ant checklist for the country in over a century.
The team combined data from two projects, the Leaf Litter Arthropods of MesoAmerica project and the Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation workgroup, to understand the ant community in the threatened cloud forest. They focused on an elevation between 1170 and 2030 meters, where diverse microhabitats support many ant species.
The study revealed five ant species new to Honduras, including Pheidole natalie and Pseudomyrmex pallens, and the first recorded male individuals of Pheidole balatro. Biogeographical analysis showed seven species are restricted to Honduras, with four found only within Cusuco National Park. While two invasive ant species were found in the park’s buffer zone, the core forest area appears to be largely unaffected.
Researchers estimate the park may actually contain as many as 257 ant species, as current surveys likely underestimate the true diversity. They recommend expanding sampling to include canopy and subterranean habitats, and increasing efforts at higher elevations. The team also created a key to identify ant genera in Honduras, hoping to encourage further research in the face of deforestation and habitat loss within the country’s protected areas.
