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Ant Survey, Far North Queensland Rainforest SuperSite, Daintree Rainforest Observatory, Cape Tribulation, Core 1 ha, 2016

Citation

Liddell, M (): Ant Survey, Far North Queensland Rainforest SuperSite, Daintree Rainforest Observatory, Cape Tribulation, Core 1 ha, 2016. TERN Australian SuperSite Network. http://supersites.tern.org.au/knb/metacat/supersite.821.2/html

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Identifier
docid
supersite.821.2
Data Creators
Individual
Assoc Prof Michael Liddell
Organization
James Cook University Cairns Campus
Abstract

Ants are Australia’s dominant faunal group in terms of biomass and energy flow. They occupy all trophic levels, act as ecosystem engineers, feature in many mutualistic interactions with plants, and are a key food resource for many vertebrates. Ants are also Australia’s best studied insect group in terms of biogeography and community dynamics. They are the most widely used invertebrate bio-indicators in environmental assessment and monitoring. Ants were collected in 2016 and stored in ethanol for taxonomic assessment.

Contacts for Questions on the Use and Interpretation of Data
Individual
Assoc Prof Michael Liddell
Organization
James Cook University Cairns Campus
Address
PO Box 6811
Cairns. QLD 4870
Australia
Email Address
michael.liddell@jcu.edu.au
Methods and Sampling Information
Methods
Method Step 1
Description
Ant sampling procedures

Twenty pitfall traps are placed in a standard grid (4 x 5) with 10 m spacing within the core 1 ha vegetation plot in permanent positions marked with PVC tubes (or inverted traps). If the position on the grid is occupied by a tree or rock then the trap is placed adjacent to it. Trapping is conducted over 3 days with traps sealed with screw cap at the end of the period. Any dirt, plant material or other debris is removed as contaminating material can stain the ants if left with them for extended periods. Tubes be stored in the dark as light will cause colours to fade and the cuticle or integument will deteriorate over time, greatly reducing the usefulness of the material for taxonomic studies and making identifications difficult or impossible.

Traps are buried with lips completely flush with the soil surface.

Sealed pitfall traps are sent to a central processing laboratory where contents are transferred to ethanol for long term storage. Non-ant by-catch is stored for future reference.

Instrument
  • Pitfall traps are standard 4 cm plastic medical specimen containers with ethylene glycol or propylene glycol (to a depth of 1 cm) placed in the bottom to preserve the samples.
Keywords and Subject Categories
anz-src
  • 0501
  • 0502
  • 0602
  • Far North Queensland Rainforest SuperSite
  • Cape Tribulation
  • Rainforest
  • Core 1 ha
  • ants
  • invertebrate fauna
Geographic Coverage
Geographic Description
Far North Queensland Rainforest SuperSite, Daintree Rainforest Observatory, Cape Tribulation
Bounding Coordinates
West
145.44905 degrees
 
East
145.44905 degrees
 
North
-16.103517 degrees
 
South
-16.103517 degrees
 
Temporal Coverage
Date
2016
Intellectual Rights, Licence and Usage Conditions

CC-BY-4_0

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