The document discusses an experimental study on the effects of an invasive ant species, Pheidole megacephala, on decomposer communities. The study used 6 site pairs with 312 dung samples and 624 pitfall traps to compare diversity and decomposition rates in invaded versus uninvaded areas. Preliminary results found 16.5-22.4% lower species diversity and a lower mass loss per day of 19.43% in invaded areas compared to 33.97% in uninvaded areas, suggesting the invasive ant is negatively impacting decomposer communities.

1. Everybody Poops…
Patrick “Poopy Pat” Milligan
-or- “Cascade effects of an invasive ant species on decomposers of the
Mpala Research Centre environs”

2. Pheidole megacephala
Caroline Stone 2014

3. Decomposers!

4. Experimental Design
6 site pairs
312 dung samples
624 pitfall traps
Too much poo!

5. Results (so far…)
 Dung Samples: 16.5% lower species diversity in
invaded areas
 Pitfall Traps: 22.4% lower species diversity in invaded
areas
 Mass Lost per Day
 33.97% lost in uninvaded areas
 19.43% lost in invaded areas