Ant diversity at Sunut forest, Khartoum, Sudan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum. P.O. Box 321, Postal Code 11115, Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

Due to their scientific value as bioindicators, assessment of ant diversity is an important target of biological diversity research, especially in regions where conservation threats are substantial. In this paper, we present a preliminary investigation of the ant fauna at Sunut forest which is a natural forest located in the middle of Khartoum city, the capital of Sudan. Due to its location, the habitat at Sunut forest is increasingly threatened by human activities. Our goal is to provide a database to serve as a guide for future management and conservation research taking place at this forest. During the study period (May, June and July 2012), ten species of ants were collected and classified. The ant collection contained species with different habitat preferences, indicating that the environment at Sunut forest is highly heterogeneous.

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