SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Zoogeography of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on the Aegean Islands, Greece
The myrmecofauna of Greece is one of the most diverse in the Mediterranean area, but little is
known about its distribution across the many islands of the Greek archipelago. Recent work on the
ant fauna of Greece has provided a general taxonomic framework useful for exploring ant
biodiversity, and more general biogeographic work useful for providing a baseline to
understanding the distribution of species in general across the Aegean Islands. I carried out a
survey of the distribution of ants across these islands, based on specimens collected in pitfall traps
at 57 stations across 3 main islands, and covering a range of habitats. These have allowed me to
simultaneously examine the island biogeographical principles underlying ant distribution, and how
these are modified by anthropogenic disturbance, which varies across the islands.
My results propose the mid-Aegean sea barrier, established by vicariant events at the end of the
Messinian salinity crisis (5.3 Ma), as the main driver of ant community composition, as there is a
major difference in ant communities between the western Cyclades and the eastern Dodecanese
island groups. The generic composition was not, however, found to follow the expected transitional
gradient (European genera dominating the western islands and Asian genera the eastern ones),
suggesting alteration of the ants’ distribution by human-facilitated dispersal. Each island was
examined for correlates of ant diversity and consistency across the sampling periods: human
disturbance was found significant in all three islands, where ant assemblages increase their
diversity with mild disturbance but become degraded when the pressure increases. In addition,
stations inside protected areas by the Natura 2000 conservation scheme were examined for the
protection measures’ efficiency and exhibited the same pattern of low diversity indices on all
islands. Habitat fragmentation due to various human activities was suggested to be a degradation
component in the protected sites, 8 years after the initiation of the conservation program.
Further identification of the ants on a species level is suggested to better define the compositional
convergence and divergence. Resampling of the stations is also required for an evaluation of
ongoing Conservation efforts in the area.

More Related Content

What's hot

Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Baetodes huaico (EPHEMEROPTERA: BAETI...
Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Baetodes huaico (EPHEMEROPTERA: BAETI...Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Baetodes huaico (EPHEMEROPTERA: BAETI...
Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Baetodes huaico (EPHEMEROPTERA: BAETI...
jcgjuancruz
 
Terrill_Sean_Poster_Final
Terrill_Sean_Poster_FinalTerrill_Sean_Poster_Final
Terrill_Sean_Poster_Final
Sean Terrill
 
MGrande_CoastalFellows2014
MGrande_CoastalFellows2014MGrande_CoastalFellows2014
MGrande_CoastalFellows2014
Mary Grande
 
Branches of zoogeographic .
Branches of zoogeographic .Branches of zoogeographic .
Branches of zoogeographic .
Shahida Aziz
 
History of Zoogeography
History of ZoogeographyHistory of Zoogeography
History of Zoogeography
Syed Muhammad Khan
 
Wildlife Society Bulletin 2016 CraggTechniques for monitoring Brachyramphusmu...
Wildlife Society Bulletin 2016 CraggTechniques for monitoring Brachyramphusmu...Wildlife Society Bulletin 2016 CraggTechniques for monitoring Brachyramphusmu...
Wildlife Society Bulletin 2016 CraggTechniques for monitoring Brachyramphusmu...
Jenna Cragg
 
Evidence for morphological evolutionary stasis in a Middle Miocene Inselbergs...
Evidence for morphological evolutionary stasis in a Middle Miocene Inselbergs...Evidence for morphological evolutionary stasis in a Middle Miocene Inselbergs...
Evidence for morphological evolutionary stasis in a Middle Miocene Inselbergs...
AndressaCabral18
 
Synthesis paper
Synthesis paperSynthesis paper
Synthesis paper
Ennaer Azodlab
 
Guerreiro (2014). Biodiversity distribution in the western Sahara-Sahel the r...
Guerreiro (2014). Biodiversity distribution in the western Sahara-Sahel the r...Guerreiro (2014). Biodiversity distribution in the western Sahara-Sahel the r...
Guerreiro (2014). Biodiversity distribution in the western Sahara-Sahel the r...
Ricardo Guerreiro
 
Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...
Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...
Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...
Letícia Magpali
 
Kontur.Posterfinal.140416
Kontur.Posterfinal.140416Kontur.Posterfinal.140416
Kontur.Posterfinal.140416
Sophie Kontur
 
Types of Animal Distribution
Types of Animal DistributionTypes of Animal Distribution
Types of Animal Distribution
Syed Muhammad Khan
 
Introduction to zoogeography and types of distribution
Introduction to zoogeography and types of distributionIntroduction to zoogeography and types of distribution
Introduction to zoogeography and types of distribution
Muhammad Yousaf
 
Vazquez Moris et al. 2016
Vazquez Moris et al. 2016Vazquez Moris et al. 2016
Vazquez Moris et al. 2016
Giorgio Vacchiano
 
Changes in climate conditions affect the phenology of seabirds 2
Changes in climate conditions affect the phenology of seabirds 2Changes in climate conditions affect the phenology of seabirds 2
Changes in climate conditions affect the phenology of seabirds 2
chris benston
 
Regional and global elevational patterns of microbial species richness and ev...
Regional and global elevational patterns of microbial species richness and ev...Regional and global elevational patterns of microbial species richness and ev...
Regional and global elevational patterns of microbial species richness and ev...
sediman
 
Jonathan D.majer, Ants pass the bioindicator score board
Jonathan D.majer, Ants pass the bioindicator score boardJonathan D.majer, Ants pass the bioindicator score board
Jonathan D.majer, Ants pass the bioindicator score board
Andy Fernando Siahaan
 
Geography - Definition, history and types
Geography - Definition, history and typesGeography - Definition, history and types
Geography - Definition, history and types
Muhammad Yousaf
 
Aquatic Insect Similarity Connecting Natural Wetland Habitat and Ricefield fo...
Aquatic Insect Similarity Connecting Natural Wetland Habitat and Ricefield fo...Aquatic Insect Similarity Connecting Natural Wetland Habitat and Ricefield fo...
Aquatic Insect Similarity Connecting Natural Wetland Habitat and Ricefield fo...
Innspub Net
 
Kenchel
KenchelKenchel
Kenchel
Josh Kenchel
 

What's hot (20)

Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Baetodes huaico (EPHEMEROPTERA: BAETI...
Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Baetodes huaico (EPHEMEROPTERA: BAETI...Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Baetodes huaico (EPHEMEROPTERA: BAETI...
Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Baetodes huaico (EPHEMEROPTERA: BAETI...
 
Terrill_Sean_Poster_Final
Terrill_Sean_Poster_FinalTerrill_Sean_Poster_Final
Terrill_Sean_Poster_Final
 
MGrande_CoastalFellows2014
MGrande_CoastalFellows2014MGrande_CoastalFellows2014
MGrande_CoastalFellows2014
 
Branches of zoogeographic .
Branches of zoogeographic .Branches of zoogeographic .
Branches of zoogeographic .
 
History of Zoogeography
History of ZoogeographyHistory of Zoogeography
History of Zoogeography
 
Wildlife Society Bulletin 2016 CraggTechniques for monitoring Brachyramphusmu...
Wildlife Society Bulletin 2016 CraggTechniques for monitoring Brachyramphusmu...Wildlife Society Bulletin 2016 CraggTechniques for monitoring Brachyramphusmu...
Wildlife Society Bulletin 2016 CraggTechniques for monitoring Brachyramphusmu...
 
Evidence for morphological evolutionary stasis in a Middle Miocene Inselbergs...
Evidence for morphological evolutionary stasis in a Middle Miocene Inselbergs...Evidence for morphological evolutionary stasis in a Middle Miocene Inselbergs...
Evidence for morphological evolutionary stasis in a Middle Miocene Inselbergs...
 
Synthesis paper
Synthesis paperSynthesis paper
Synthesis paper
 
Guerreiro (2014). Biodiversity distribution in the western Sahara-Sahel the r...
Guerreiro (2014). Biodiversity distribution in the western Sahara-Sahel the r...Guerreiro (2014). Biodiversity distribution in the western Sahara-Sahel the r...
Guerreiro (2014). Biodiversity distribution in the western Sahara-Sahel the r...
 
Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...
Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...
Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...
 
Kontur.Posterfinal.140416
Kontur.Posterfinal.140416Kontur.Posterfinal.140416
Kontur.Posterfinal.140416
 
Types of Animal Distribution
Types of Animal DistributionTypes of Animal Distribution
Types of Animal Distribution
 
Introduction to zoogeography and types of distribution
Introduction to zoogeography and types of distributionIntroduction to zoogeography and types of distribution
Introduction to zoogeography and types of distribution
 
Vazquez Moris et al. 2016
Vazquez Moris et al. 2016Vazquez Moris et al. 2016
Vazquez Moris et al. 2016
 
Changes in climate conditions affect the phenology of seabirds 2
Changes in climate conditions affect the phenology of seabirds 2Changes in climate conditions affect the phenology of seabirds 2
Changes in climate conditions affect the phenology of seabirds 2
 
Regional and global elevational patterns of microbial species richness and ev...
Regional and global elevational patterns of microbial species richness and ev...Regional and global elevational patterns of microbial species richness and ev...
Regional and global elevational patterns of microbial species richness and ev...
 
Jonathan D.majer, Ants pass the bioindicator score board
Jonathan D.majer, Ants pass the bioindicator score boardJonathan D.majer, Ants pass the bioindicator score board
Jonathan D.majer, Ants pass the bioindicator score board
 
Geography - Definition, history and types
Geography - Definition, history and typesGeography - Definition, history and types
Geography - Definition, history and types
 
Aquatic Insect Similarity Connecting Natural Wetland Habitat and Ricefield fo...
Aquatic Insect Similarity Connecting Natural Wetland Habitat and Ricefield fo...Aquatic Insect Similarity Connecting Natural Wetland Habitat and Ricefield fo...
Aquatic Insect Similarity Connecting Natural Wetland Habitat and Ricefield fo...
 
Kenchel
KenchelKenchel
Kenchel
 

Similar to MSc thesis

Grant_Cait_FINAL
Grant_Cait_FINALGrant_Cait_FINAL
Grant_Cait_FINAL
Caitlin Grant
 
University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008
University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008
University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008
Skalanes
 
Diversity and dispersion patterns of echinoderms in Babanlagan, Talisayan, Mi...
Diversity and dispersion patterns of echinoderms in Babanlagan, Talisayan, Mi...Diversity and dispersion patterns of echinoderms in Babanlagan, Talisayan, Mi...
Diversity and dispersion patterns of echinoderms in Babanlagan, Talisayan, Mi...
Angelo Mark Walag
 
Research Proposal - Are the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, populations w...
Research Proposal - Are the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, populations w...Research Proposal - Are the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, populations w...
Research Proposal - Are the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, populations w...
ElizabethHowarth1
 
Evidence for impacts by jellyfish on north sea
Evidence for impacts by jellyfish on north seaEvidence for impacts by jellyfish on north sea
Evidence for impacts by jellyfish on north sea
ratupura
 
Gjesm150171451593800
Gjesm150171451593800Gjesm150171451593800
Gjesm150171451593800
GJESM Publication
 
Research 5.pdf
Research 5.pdfResearch 5.pdf
Research 5.pdf
Abd El-Nasser Al borki
 
Albufera
AlbuferaAlbufera
Albufera
Paolo Zuccarini
 
Trends in Macrophyte Diversity in Anthropogenic Perturbed Lentic Ecosystems w...
Trends in Macrophyte Diversity in Anthropogenic Perturbed Lentic Ecosystems w...Trends in Macrophyte Diversity in Anthropogenic Perturbed Lentic Ecosystems w...
Trends in Macrophyte Diversity in Anthropogenic Perturbed Lentic Ecosystems w...
Premier Publishers
 
Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica...
Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica...Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica...
Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica...
the Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
 
mastitsky_article
mastitsky_articlemastitsky_article
mastitsky_article
Sergey Mastitsky
 
Using Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Live.docx
Using Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Live.docxUsing Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Live.docx
Using Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Live.docx
dickonsondorris
 
2013 Vianna et al. Vertical movements of grey reef shark
2013 Vianna et al. Vertical movements of grey reef shark2013 Vianna et al. Vertical movements of grey reef shark
2013 Vianna et al. Vertical movements of grey reef shark
Gabriel Maciel de Souza Vianna
 
Conservation biology
Conservation biologyConservation biology
Conservation biology
Qamar iqbal
 
Joshua Seidman Honors Thesis Rough Draft 2.4 enm
Joshua Seidman Honors Thesis Rough Draft 2.4 enmJoshua Seidman Honors Thesis Rough Draft 2.4 enm
Joshua Seidman Honors Thesis Rough Draft 2.4 enm
Joshua Seidman
 
Spatial Mapping: Diversity and Distribution of Demersal Fish in the Southern ...
Spatial Mapping: Diversity and Distribution of Demersal Fish in the Southern ...Spatial Mapping: Diversity and Distribution of Demersal Fish in the Southern ...
Spatial Mapping: Diversity and Distribution of Demersal Fish in the Southern ...
robert peranginangin
 
One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...
One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...
One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...
Cody Gramlin
 
Flats Ecology Research Poster
Flats Ecology Research PosterFlats Ecology Research Poster
Flats Ecology Research Poster
Kate Maroni
 
Interactions and space-use overlap between satellite-tracked blue sharks and ...
Interactions and space-use overlap between satellite-tracked blue sharks and ...Interactions and space-use overlap between satellite-tracked blue sharks and ...
Interactions and space-use overlap between satellite-tracked blue sharks and ...
ecologiaazul
 
FAITH.WARREN.BIOASSESSMENTPAPER.4.21.14
FAITH.WARREN.BIOASSESSMENTPAPER.4.21.14FAITH.WARREN.BIOASSESSMENTPAPER.4.21.14
FAITH.WARREN.BIOASSESSMENTPAPER.4.21.14
Faith Warren
 

Similar to MSc thesis (20)

Grant_Cait_FINAL
Grant_Cait_FINALGrant_Cait_FINAL
Grant_Cait_FINAL
 
University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008
University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008
University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008
 
Diversity and dispersion patterns of echinoderms in Babanlagan, Talisayan, Mi...
Diversity and dispersion patterns of echinoderms in Babanlagan, Talisayan, Mi...Diversity and dispersion patterns of echinoderms in Babanlagan, Talisayan, Mi...
Diversity and dispersion patterns of echinoderms in Babanlagan, Talisayan, Mi...
 
Research Proposal - Are the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, populations w...
Research Proposal - Are the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, populations w...Research Proposal - Are the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, populations w...
Research Proposal - Are the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, populations w...
 
Evidence for impacts by jellyfish on north sea
Evidence for impacts by jellyfish on north seaEvidence for impacts by jellyfish on north sea
Evidence for impacts by jellyfish on north sea
 
Gjesm150171451593800
Gjesm150171451593800Gjesm150171451593800
Gjesm150171451593800
 
Research 5.pdf
Research 5.pdfResearch 5.pdf
Research 5.pdf
 
Albufera
AlbuferaAlbufera
Albufera
 
Trends in Macrophyte Diversity in Anthropogenic Perturbed Lentic Ecosystems w...
Trends in Macrophyte Diversity in Anthropogenic Perturbed Lentic Ecosystems w...Trends in Macrophyte Diversity in Anthropogenic Perturbed Lentic Ecosystems w...
Trends in Macrophyte Diversity in Anthropogenic Perturbed Lentic Ecosystems w...
 
Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica...
Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica...Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica...
Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica...
 
mastitsky_article
mastitsky_articlemastitsky_article
mastitsky_article
 
Using Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Live.docx
Using Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Live.docxUsing Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Live.docx
Using Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Live.docx
 
2013 Vianna et al. Vertical movements of grey reef shark
2013 Vianna et al. Vertical movements of grey reef shark2013 Vianna et al. Vertical movements of grey reef shark
2013 Vianna et al. Vertical movements of grey reef shark
 
Conservation biology
Conservation biologyConservation biology
Conservation biology
 
Joshua Seidman Honors Thesis Rough Draft 2.4 enm
Joshua Seidman Honors Thesis Rough Draft 2.4 enmJoshua Seidman Honors Thesis Rough Draft 2.4 enm
Joshua Seidman Honors Thesis Rough Draft 2.4 enm
 
Spatial Mapping: Diversity and Distribution of Demersal Fish in the Southern ...
Spatial Mapping: Diversity and Distribution of Demersal Fish in the Southern ...Spatial Mapping: Diversity and Distribution of Demersal Fish in the Southern ...
Spatial Mapping: Diversity and Distribution of Demersal Fish in the Southern ...
 
One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...
One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...
One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...
 
Flats Ecology Research Poster
Flats Ecology Research PosterFlats Ecology Research Poster
Flats Ecology Research Poster
 
Interactions and space-use overlap between satellite-tracked blue sharks and ...
Interactions and space-use overlap between satellite-tracked blue sharks and ...Interactions and space-use overlap between satellite-tracked blue sharks and ...
Interactions and space-use overlap between satellite-tracked blue sharks and ...
 
FAITH.WARREN.BIOASSESSMENTPAPER.4.21.14
FAITH.WARREN.BIOASSESSMENTPAPER.4.21.14FAITH.WARREN.BIOASSESSMENTPAPER.4.21.14
FAITH.WARREN.BIOASSESSMENTPAPER.4.21.14
 

MSc thesis

  • 1. Zoogeography of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on the Aegean Islands, Greece The myrmecofauna of Greece is one of the most diverse in the Mediterranean area, but little is known about its distribution across the many islands of the Greek archipelago. Recent work on the ant fauna of Greece has provided a general taxonomic framework useful for exploring ant biodiversity, and more general biogeographic work useful for providing a baseline to understanding the distribution of species in general across the Aegean Islands. I carried out a survey of the distribution of ants across these islands, based on specimens collected in pitfall traps at 57 stations across 3 main islands, and covering a range of habitats. These have allowed me to simultaneously examine the island biogeographical principles underlying ant distribution, and how these are modified by anthropogenic disturbance, which varies across the islands. My results propose the mid-Aegean sea barrier, established by vicariant events at the end of the Messinian salinity crisis (5.3 Ma), as the main driver of ant community composition, as there is a major difference in ant communities between the western Cyclades and the eastern Dodecanese island groups. The generic composition was not, however, found to follow the expected transitional gradient (European genera dominating the western islands and Asian genera the eastern ones), suggesting alteration of the ants’ distribution by human-facilitated dispersal. Each island was examined for correlates of ant diversity and consistency across the sampling periods: human disturbance was found significant in all three islands, where ant assemblages increase their diversity with mild disturbance but become degraded when the pressure increases. In addition, stations inside protected areas by the Natura 2000 conservation scheme were examined for the protection measures’ efficiency and exhibited the same pattern of low diversity indices on all islands. Habitat fragmentation due to various human activities was suggested to be a degradation component in the protected sites, 8 years after the initiation of the conservation program. Further identification of the ants on a species level is suggested to better define the compositional convergence and divergence. Resampling of the stations is also required for an evaluation of ongoing Conservation efforts in the area.